Billionaire businessman Femi Otedola has triggered reactions online after sharing an exclusive photograph of himself with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in France and declaring his support for the President.
Otedola, who described himself as proud of Tinubu, shared the photograph amid renewed public discussion surrounding the President’s health and prolonged stay outside Nigeria. He, however, restricted comments on the post, a move that further fueled reactions across social media.
The photograph was subsequently published on the front page of Punch, with some Nigerians viewing the image as evidence that the President is alive and carrying out engagements in France.
Tinubu left Nigeria on August 30 for a three-week working vacation. He initially travelled to London, United Kingdom, before proceeding to Paris, France. Although the trip was originally expected to end on September 27, the President’s return was later extended.
The development has coincided with renewed claims and speculation about Tinubu’s health, including comments by African Action Congress presidential candidate Omoyele Sowore. A recent cryptic prophecy by Apostle Joshua Selman has also generated discussions among Nigerians, further intensifying public interest in the President’s whereabouts and wellbeing.
While some Nigerians have criticised Otedola for publicly aligning himself with Tinubu, supporters of the All Progressives Congress (APC) have welcomed the billionaire’s declaration of support for the President.
However, Otedola’s position may also be viewed in the context of his long-standing argument that business interests require maintaining relationships with those in power.
In his book Making It Big, Otedola recounted an experience involving former President Olusegun Obasanjo, whom he said became displeased with him because of his perceived relationship with members of the opposition who had opposed Obasanjo and were imprisoned.
According to Otedola’s account, a series of meetings, mediation and substantial donations eventually helped resolve the dispute.
The experience, he suggested, taught him the importance of maintaining cordial relationships with those in political power.
Against this background, Otedola’s latest show of support for Tinubu may be interpreted less as a sudden political development and more as part of the businessman’s longstanding approach to navigating Nigeria’s political and business environment.
For Otedola and other members of Nigeria’s business elite, maintaining relationships across political circles can be viewed as a pragmatic strategy for protecting and advancing business interests, regardless of who occupies the presidency.
His latest photograph with Tinubu has therefore become a talking point not only because of the President’s prolonged absence from Nigeria, but also because it has revived debate over the relationship between Nigeria’s political leadership and its business elite.
