A former secretary to the government of the federation (SGF), Babachir Lawal, has alleged that President Bola Tinubu is addicted to cigarettes.

Mr Lawal made the allegation on Saturday during in an interview on Symfoni TV.

The ex-SGF alleged that Mr Tinubu particularly liked silk cigarettes and “can’t do without” them. 

Mr Lawal said, “The only thing I know he likes much is cigarettes, silk. He smokes. I don’t know whether he does it now. He likes that a lot. He can’t do without it (sic).”

He described Mr Tinubu as “an unhealthy man,” who frequently travelled to France for medical treatment.

He urged Mr Tinubu to devote attention to his health after completing four-year term.

Mr Lawal stated, “I have said it before, even his health conditions are publicly known. He is not a healthy man now. Nigerians are not fooled. He is always in France. I have said it before, he should pursue his health.

“He has become president for four years, that is enough. But he cannot do more. We have ample examples to show that when you have declining health and age, your performance runs down exponentially. If I were him, I will face my problems now.

“Do you know something? Bola is not somebody that likes to enjoy food. Bola would wake up in the morning and there is banana in his living room. He would eat banana and groundnut. That is his food. Sometimes in the morning they bring Ogi (pap) and moimoi.”

The politician added that he could not understand the allegations that Mr Tinubu amassed wealth.

Mr Lawal said, before becoming president, the Mr Tinubu he knew was often unkempt, improperly dressed and not a lover of luxury.

“Why is he accused of amassing such excessive wealth? I don’t understand. He is not going to enjoy it. He doesn’t enjoy it. He doesn’t do proper dressing. Now that he is president, he does it. There were times I criticised him about the way he dresses,” Mr Lawal said.

“And you know when you go to Bola Tinubu’s house in the morning, he comes out and meet you and say let’s take pictures, most of the people that like to take pictures, he will pose for you in this pajamas looking unkempt and they will go and send it on the internet.”

“There was a time I was fighting with his aides, don’t allow him to take pictures until he is properly dressed. So he is not somebody that really revels in luxury or things like that,” he added.