President Muhammadu Buhari will remain in London for a longer period on the advice of his doctors, his spokesman, Femi Adesina, said yesterday.
[dropcap]M[/dropcap]r. Adesina said tests showed that the president needs to stay longer than originally planned.
Adesina said he received a statement to that effect from the Nigeria House in the United Kingdom where Buhari is staying.
The statement reads: “President Muhammadu Buhari thanks millions of Nigerians who have been sending good wishes and praying for his health and well-being in mosques and churches throughout the country.
“The President is immensely grateful for the prayers, show of love and concern.
“President Buhari wishes to reassure Nigerians that there is no cause for worry.
“During his normal annual checkups, tests showed he needed a longer period of rest, necessitating the President staying longer than originally planned.”
Buhari’s aides and top government officials in the past few weeks have said he would return soon. The president has been in London since January 19 and Vice President Yemi Osinbajo has been acting as president in his absence.
Addressing State House correspondents later, Adesina said the President wants Nigerians to know that he appreciates their prayers, their concerns and goodwill and that there is no cause to worry.
“He is the one who owns the body and there is nobody who will know his body more than him and he says no cause to worry.
“It makes sense to say that maybe from the results of the tests, further rests had been recommended. The statement did not say how long the rest will last.
“I speak for somebody; I do not speak for myself. So, it is what he tells me to say that I say and the statement transmitted to me is that the president needs to rest for some further time,” he said.
On whether there is any possibility that Buhari will speak to Nigerians, Adesina responded: “What he has just done is to speak to Nigerians.”
Asked what exactly is wrong with the president, Adesina said: “Don’t you know that the Hippocratic Oath even forbids a doctor from speaking about the condition of his patient except the patient authorises it? It is only the patient himself who can speak about what he is going through.
“This is the person going through these series of tests and rest and he says no cause to worry, let us believe that.”
On why journalists who had been trying to reach the president in UK were harassed, he said: “I do not consider that harassment. Presidents are not hijacked and interviewed. Those things are scheduled. So I do not consider that as harassment.”
Asked to comment on reports that Buhari may remain in London for months, Adesina said: What we have just said is what I will want us to believe. The President said he needs to rest further. The same President that communicated that to us, when it is time for him to come, he will also communicate to us.”
On the claim that the president has lost his voice, he responded: “Those people need to prove it. He spoke with President Trump. Did Trump say he did not speak with Nigerian President? Anybody can allege anything.
“My message to Nigerians is that let us learn to believe our leaders. This is a man we elected into office and he says no cause to worry, let us believe him.”
Saraki briefs Senators on visit to Buhari
Senate President Bukola Saraki yesterday briefed his colleagues on his visit to London to see President Muhammadu Buhari who is on medication abroad.
Saraki last Wednesday led a delegation of the National Assembly, comprising the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara and the Senate Leader, Senator Ahmad Lawan (APC, Yobe) to visit Buhari.
Speaking during yesterday’s plenary; Saraki said Buhari was in good health.
“I am happy to report that we met the President in good spirit, in good health, chatty as usual and convey his best wishes and hopes to be back very soon,”he said.
Saraki then read the President’s letter extending his vacation. The letter was sent while the National Assembly was on recess
It reads: “Further to my letter dated Jan. 18, 2017 in which I notified the distinguished Senate of taking part of my annual leave.
“During my leave I took the opportunity to have routine checkups and consult my long standing doctors in London. In the course of the routine examinations, certain tests results indicated the need for a course of medications and further appointments rescheduled for next week.
“I am therefore notifying the distinguished senate that I am extending my leave until the doctors are satisfied that certain factors are ruled out.
“In the circumstances, Vice President, Yemi Osinbajo would continue to act on my behalf. Please accept distinguished Senate President the assurances of my highest consideration,” the letter read.
Buhari suffering from an infection
A ranking lawmaker said the President’s ailment has to do with an infection.
“The President’s ailment has to do with an infection on his ears. It was not properly treated initially. Now the medical doctors want to do a thorough treatment, hence the need for him to stay way for more time, “he told Daily Trust.
Another lawmaker also told Daily Trust last night that based on available information, there was “no cause for alarm” on the president’s health.
“I can tell you first hand that there is no cause for alarm. Nigerians should calm down. Let’s just pray for the president,” the lawmaker said.
Another lawmaker told our correspondent that the president might not return immediately as he is sticking to the advice given to him by his doctors to remain in London and fully recuperate before returning to Nigeria.
“What is certain is that the president is alive. But the issue of returning in a matter of weeks, that is not certain. He may take at least another one month from what I gathered.
“The doctors advised that he if he returns now, the situation may degenerate because of the Nigerian factor. The way people will come and disturb him with greetings alone would worsen matters.
“But it’s not something we should disturb ourselves about. I don’t know how Nigerians behave, because this is a simple matter. The president is just like any other human being that can fall sick at any time.
“I think the problem is that his media handlers are not doing well. They should come out and tell Nigerians the truth. Maybe they’re afraid that the man is not strong enough, so they don’t want him to talk to Nigerians,” the source said.
Buhari getting stronger
A National Assembly source said, “Alhamdu Lillah. He is certainly getting stronger,” and did not give further details.
