posted 30th March 2025
President Tinubu Marks 73rd Birthday with Gratitude, Reveals Near Exit from 2023 Race Amid Wike’s Conspicuous Absence
Abuja, 29 March 2025 – President Bola Tinubu celebrated his 73rd birthday with a special Iftar at the Presidential Villa on Saturday night, expressing heartfelt gratitude to Nigerians for their prayers and goodwill. However, the event was overshadowed by the conspicuous absence of the Minister for the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, fuelling further speculation about his whereabouts and persistent rumours of a stroke that allegedly saw him flown to France for treatment.
Addressing a distinguished gathering that included First Lady Senator Oluremi Tinubu, Vice President Kashim Shettima and his wife Nana, members of the Federal Executive Council, National Assembly leaders, governors, diplomats, business tycoons, religious figures, and childhood friends, Tinubu reflected on his tumultuous journey to the presidency. The Imam of the National Mosque, Dr. Abdulkadir Salman Sholagberu, led prayers for divine guidance and national progress.
In an emotional recounting, Tinubu revealed how he nearly abandoned his 2023 presidential bid after a disheartening encounter with a relative during the campaign. "One of them came to my living room at 3:30 a.m., asking for N50,000 to buy food for our uncle, blaming me for the cash scarcity," he said. Despite handing over the money, the relative’s doubt—“I don’t think you will make it”—nearly broke his resolve. Encouragement from allies like Aminu Masari kept him steadfast.
Tinubu also highlighted his bold decision to remove the fuel subsidy on his inauguration day, a move not originally planned in his speech. “The following day, I was hounded and thoroughly abused in the media,” he admitted, “but I stood firm, knowing it was right for our nation’s future.”
Vice President Shettima praised Tinubu’s courage, noting that his reforms—tackling fuel subsidies, forex instability, and local government autonomy—spared future leaders from inherited burdens. “Asiwaju has taken the bullets many lacked the courage to face,” Shettima said.
Senate President Godswill Akpabio hailed Tinubu as Nigeria’s “most audacious president,” crediting his innovative leadership for increased state allocations. Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu lauded Tinubu’s barrier-breaking mentorship, while Governor Hope Uzodinma of Imo State called his decisions vital to averting national collapse.
Yet, the absence of FCT Minister Nyesom Wike cast a shadow over the celebrations. Wike, a key political figure and ally of Tinubu, has been the subject of swirling rumours suggesting he suffered a stroke and was secretly flown to France. Despite his public denial of health issues in January and recent appearances inspecting FCT projects as late as 28 March, his no-show at the Iftar intensified speculation. Sources close to the minister have dismissed these claims as baseless, but the void left by his absence dominated whispers among attendees.
The event also featured personal anecdotes, with Minister of Communications Dr. Bosun Tijjani recounting Tinubu’s faith in his activism, and childhood friend Professor Shaffideen Adeniyi Amuwo linking their Chicago days to Tinubu’s destiny as leader of the world’s most populous Black nation.
