Sunday, September 27, 2026

Putin to step down as Russian president: Report

The Russian leader is reportedly nursing Parkinson’s disease.

• November 6, 2020
Russian President Vladimir Putin (Credit: BBC)
Russian President Vladimir Putin (Credit: BBC)

Vladimir Putin has come under family pressure to step down as Russian president on health grounds, UK’s The Sun reported on Thursday.

Mr. Putin may stand down as Russia’s president as soon as next year after more than two decades in power, The Sun reported, citing a connected Russian political scientist Valery Solovei.

Mr. Putin first came into power in 2000 and his current six-year term is expected to elapse in 2024. The tabloid said there have been claims that Mr. Putin has been nursing Parkinson’s disease and his daughters and 37-year-old wife are prevailing on him to stand down.

“There is a family, it has a great influence on him. He intends to make public his handover plans in January,” Mr. Solovei told The Sun.

The Sun also cited a recent video that showed Mr. Putin appearing to be struggling with shifting his legs. His fingers also trembled while he was holding a cup that presumably contained his medication.

Russian lawmakers have recently commenced deliberation on a new bill that sought to grant former presidents a lifetime immunity from criminal prosecution. It was unclear whether the proposed legislation had any direct link to Mr. Putin’s reported plans to stand down.

We have recently deactivated our website's comment provider in favour of other channels of distribution and commentary. We encourage you to join the conversation on our stories via our Facebook, Twitter and other social media pages.

More from Peoples Gazette

farmers

Agriculture

FG tasks ECOWAS on leveraging financing strategies for agroecology

The federal government has urged stakeholders in the agriculture and finance sectors in the West Africa region to leverage financing strategies to enhance agroecology practices

Katsina State

Politics

Katsina youths pledge to deliver over 2 million votes to Atiku

“Katsina State is Atiku’s political base because it is his second home.”

Adegboyega Oyetola

Economy

FG approves modernisation of Onne, Rivers, Delta, Calabar ports

Mr Oyetola said expanding port modernisation would help reduce cargo concentration at the Lagos ports by providing efficient alternative gateways for international trade.

Economy

NICA urges shift from cash-based economy, says credit access key to Nigeria’s industrialisation

The National Institute of Credit Administration (NICA) called for a shift from a cash-based to a credit economy to accelerate Nigeria’s industrialisation.

Livestock

Agriculture

Disease Control: FG, Cross River conduct surveillance on 600 livestock samples

Liyel Imoukhuede, special adviser to Gov Bassey Otu on livestock development, said the initiative supports the national objective of eradicating peste des petits ruminants by 2030.

Lagos

LASTMA impounds 84 vehicles over traffic violations

Olalekan Bakare-Oki, general manager of LASTMA, said the enforcement exercise took place at Idumota, Iddo, Ijora-Olopa, Costain and Onipanu.

States

Insecurity: Kano govt restricts durbar procession, horse riding

The Kano state government announced restrictions on durbar processions and horse riding after an emergency meeting of the State Security Council.

Economy

NGX chairman woos global investors, highlights Nigeria’s opportunities

Mr Kwairanga said opportunities abound for venture capital, private equity and institutional investors in infrastructure financing and solid minerals development, among others.