The presidency has justified why Nigeria’s leader, Muhammadu Buhari frequents the United Kingdom for medical treatment and check-ups.
Speaking on Tuesday, the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina explained that Buhari has been using the same medical team for about 40 years and it would be wrong to deny him his medical care simply because he is now the leader of Nigeria.
Speaking during an interview with Channels TV, the presidential media aide said it is better for his principal to continue working with those who know his medical history.
He spoke against the backdrop of President Buhari’s latest foreign medical trip which was announced on Monday.
Truetells Nigeria recalls Buhari had on Monday departed Nigeria for the UK to participate in the Global Education Summit on Financing Global Partnership for Education (GPE) 2021-2025 after which he would spend a few days in London for an earlier scheduled medical check-up.
Defending his principal’s move, Adesina when asked why the President couldn’t be treated in Nigeria said: “President Buhari has been with the same doctors and medical team for upward of 40 years.”
“It is advisable that he continues with that who knows his medical history and that is why he comes to London to see them. He has used the same medical team for over 40 years. Once you can afford it, then stay with the team that has your history,” he added.
When asked how governance will not be affected by the President’s absence without any formal handover to the Vice President, the media aide said the Constitution empowers Vice President Yemi Osinbajo to act as President if President Buhari is not back to the country within 21 days.
“The nation is running, there is a vice president who will attend to critical issues. There is no vacuum and a constitutional amendment has sorted that out,” Adesina explained.
President Buhari is expected back in the country in the second week of August.