………JUST HOURS AFTER RECEIVING 82 CHIBOK GIRLS
By ‘Dotun Akintomide
In similar fashion to his January’s medical trip, President Muhammadu Buhari has yet again proceeded on another medical trip to a London hospital to urgently attend to his failing health.
The New Diplomat learnt the President traveled on Sunday evening after receiving the 82 Chibok Girls released on Saturday evening by the Islamist terrorist group, Boko Haram at the Aso Rock Villa.
This was confirmed in a Press release signed by the Presidential Spokesman, Femi Adesina.
The statement posted on Adesina’s Twitter handle @FemAdesina read: “President Muhammadu Buhari proceeds to London tonight for follow-up medical consultation with his doctors.
“He had planned to leave Sunday afternoon but decided to tarry a bit, due to the arrival of 82 Chibok girls who arrived Abuja earlier in the day,” Adesina said.
The President asked Nigerians not to entertain any fear as Vice President, Yemi Osinbajo will be acting in full capacity on his behalf .
“The President wishes to assure all Nigerians that there is no cause for worry. He is very grateful for the prayers and good wishes of the people, and hopes they would continue to pray for the peace and unity of the nation.”
Though, this time the duration of his absence remains sketchy pending his doctor’s prerogative over his response to treatment.
“The length of the President’s stay in London will be determined by the doctors. The government will continue to function normally under the able leadership of the Vice President.”
He said, the development has been fully communicated to the National Assembly in a letter sent to it to allow the Vice President act in his absence in line with the 1999 constitution.
“President Buhari has transmitted letters about the trip to the Senate and the House of Representatives, in compliance with Section 145 (1) of the 1999 Constitution,” the statement concluded.
Recall, The New Diplomat had reported on the President missing three Federal Executive Council (FEC) meetings in a row and two Juma’at prayer services, as well as his grandson’s wedding in Kaduna the other weekend before his appearance at the last Friday’s Juma’at prayers at the Aso Rock mosque.
This follows growing concerns over the President’s deteriorating health condition leading to his frail look when he appeared in public last Friday.
The development, however, has made many prominent Nigerians to call on the President to go on a medical vacation to avoid a re-occurrence of the 2010 power play when late President Shehu Musa Yar’adua died after a prolonged ailment, thereby throwing the nation into serious political crisis.
Perhaps, President Buhari has yielded to their calls by embarking on another trip yesterday, in less than two months after he spent 50 days on a medical vacation in the UK.
