EX-TINUBU CAMPAIGN SPOKESMAN ONOH URGES FRENCH PRESIDENT MACRON TO SUSPEND NIGERIA VISIT
Denge Josef Onoh, a former South-East spokesman for President Bola Tinubu’s Presidential Campaign Council, has urged French President Emmanuel Macron to suspend his planned state visit to Nigeria, arguing that France should prioritise addressing its domestic challenges before pursuing diplomatic engagements abroad.
Onoh made the call in a statement released in Abuja on Sunday, October 18, 2026, ahead of Macron’s expected two-day visit to Nigeria on October 28 and 29. He argued that the French president should reconsider the timing of the trip in view of what he described as unrest and protests in France.
According to Onoh, national leaders have a responsibility to address pressing domestic concerns before undertaking international engagements. He maintained that Macron’s decision to proceed with the visit while France faces internal challenges could raise questions about his priorities as head of state.
“True statesmanship requires prioritising the home front when the foundations are shaking,” Onoh said, arguing that the French president should concentrate on addressing the grievances of protesters rather than travelling abroad for diplomatic meetings.
Onoh also expressed sympathy for the French government and citizens over the reported unrest, saying the situation was painful for people who consider France home or have developed strong connections with the country through its culture, hospitality and traditions.
He warned that continued unrest could affect France’s social cohesion and cultural heritage. He called on the French government to prioritise what he described as enduring national values over temporary political considerations.
The former campaign spokesman further argued that the proposed visit could come at an inconvenient time for Nigeria, which is preparing for the 2027 general elections. He said the country should concentrate on its domestic economic and institutional challenges as political activities intensify ahead of the polls.
Onoh maintained that Nigerians should take responsibility for addressing the country’s problems and use the forthcoming elections to pursue leadership and policies capable of strengthening the economy and restoring confidence in public institutions.
He described Macron’s planned visit as a potential distraction from those priorities, questioning whether the proposed diplomatic engagement was necessary at the present time.
According to Onoh, Nigeria should remain open to international cooperation but must ensure that diplomatic engagements serve the country’s interests and take place under circumstances that allow both parties to benefit meaningfully.
To support his argument, Onoh referred to the postponement of a planned state visit by Britain’s King Charles III to France in March 2023. The visit was rescheduled following a request from Macron amid widespread protests and violence linked to opposition to pension reforms.
He also cited the May 1968 unrest in France, when student demonstrations and workers’ strikes challenged the government of then-President Charles de Gaulle, as well as the suburban riots of 2005 during the administration of former President Jacques Chirac.
Onoh argued that these historical episodes demonstrated the importance of responding to domestic instability and public grievances. He urged Macron to address the current challenges in France before proceeding with his planned trip to Nigeria.
The former Tinubu campaign spokesman also called on the Nigerian presidency to consider how France’s domestic situation might affect discussions expected during the visit, particularly in areas such as economic cooperation, energy and security.
He questioned whether a leader dealing with serious domestic unrest would be able to give adequate attention to international negotiations, although his statement did not provide independent evidence establishing the scale of the current unrest or its specific impact on the French government’s diplomatic activities.
Despite opposing the timing of the visit, Onoh said Nigeria should continue to welcome international partnerships and maintain diplomatic relations with France. He argued, however, that such cooperation should be pursued when both countries are positioned to benefit from the engagement.
He urged Macron to remain in France, engage with protesters and address their grievances before arranging another date for the Nigerian visit. He said rescheduling the trip would demonstrate a commitment to domestic responsibilities while preserving opportunities for future bilateral cooperation.
Macron’s expected visit comes as Nigeria and France seek to strengthen relations following Tinubu’s state visit to France in November 2024. During that visit, both countries discussed areas of mutual interest, including finance, energy transition, solid minerals, trade, investment and communications.
The proposed October visit is expected to provide another opportunity for the two governments to advance discussions on bilateral cooperation. However, Onoh’s appeal represents his personal position on the timing of the engagement and does not, by itself, indicate that either government has decided to alter the schedule.
As of October 18, 2026, reports indicated that Macron’s visit was scheduled for October 28 and 29, although any change would depend on official decisions by the relevant authorities. No announcement confirming a postponement was included in the report of Onoh’s statement.
Street News Reporters will continue to monitor developments surrounding Macron’s planned visit, including any official response from the Nigerian and French governments, changes to the diplomatic schedule and announcements concerning agreements expected to be discussed during the engagement.
