Nigeria’s President, Muhammadu Buhari is set to go for medical check-up in London when he visits the United Kingdom’s capital as he begins another round of vacation from Friday.
Though Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Mr. Femi Adesina, only said in a statement made available to journalists on Wednesday that his boss is going to London on vacation but a close aide of the president, who pleaded anonymity, confided in CHECKPOINTCHARLEY, that Mr. Buhari will use the opportunity to see his doctors for medical check-up.
Mr. Adesina said Buhari would be away for 10 working days and that the Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo would stand as the acting President during the period.
The statement read, “President Muhammadu Buhari begins a 10 working-day holiday from August 3, 2018.
“In compliance with Section 145 (1) of the 1999 Constitution, a letter has been transmitted to the President of the Senate, and the Speaker, House of Representatives, to that effect.
“While the President is on vacation, the Vice President will be in acting capacity as President.
“President Buhari will be in London for the holiday.”
Recall that Mr. Buhari had also gone to London in May this year for medical check-up.
See below a timeline of Buhari’s health travels, according to Pulse.ng:
February 5, 2016
Buhari embarks on a six-day medical vacation to London.
June 6, 2016
Buhari takes to the skies for a 10-day medical vacation.
Presidency says Buhari has to travel to deal with a “persistent ear infection”.
January 19, 2017
Buhari is off to London again on a medical vacation.
February 5, 2017
Buhari writes the national assembly, asks lawmakers to extend his London medical leave.
March 10, 2017
Buhari returns to Nigeria but doesn’t resume work immediately. Presidency says “he’s working from home”.
May 7, 2017
Buhari embarks on trip to London for another medical vacation. He returns after 104 days.
August 19, 2017
Buhari returns to Nigeria and it takes him a while to resume work because rats have reportedly damaged furniture in his office.
Presidency announces he’ll be working from home.
May 8, 2018
Buhari is off to London for “medical review”—another name for a medical vacation.
It is his 5th medical trip since he was inaugurated president on May 29, 2015.
Interestingly, in April 2016, Buhari told the nation that he isn’t a fan of medical tourism and that he won’t encourage the political class to take to the skies for medical reasons either.
“While this administration will not deny anyone of his or her fundamental human rights, we will certainly not encourage expending Nigerian hard-earned resources on any government official seeking medical care abroad, when such can be handled in Nigeria”, Buhari said, according to a statement from the Health Ministry at the time.
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