Bashir Ahmad backs Tinubu over reported cancellation of Macron’s Nigeria visit
Bashir Ahmad, a former aide to the late President Muhammadu Buhari, has expressed support for President Bola Tinubu regarding the reported cancellation of French President Emmanuel Macron’s planned visit to Nigeria. The visit was originally scheduled for October 28, ahead of Nigeria’s 2027 presidential election.
Ahmad indicated that Tinubu’s concern about potential allegations of foreign interference in Nigeria’s electoral process was a prudent decision. He made this statement in a post on social media platform X on Friday.
“Mr. Tinubu also reportedly expressed concern that Mr. Macron’s visit, about three months before the Nigerian presidential election, could invite accusations of foreign influence. That’s a right step,” Ahmad wrote.
The statement comes in response to a report by Premium Times, which stated that Macron had canceled his state visit due to a combination of factors, including concerns over ongoing protests in France, the upcoming Nigerian presidential election, and a new Ebola case in Nigeria.
Nigerian sources familiar with the situation noted that Macron and Tinubu agreed to cancel the trip during discussions on Thursday.
Sources indicate that Macron was apprehensive that traveling to Nigeria amid protests in France could be seen as insensitive, especially given the unrest, which has led to school closures, looting, and clashes between demonstrators and security forces.
This cancellation occurs just months before Nigeria’s presidential election, in which Tinubu is seeking reelection.
