Yesterday, President Muhammadu Buhari received the Presidential media team and the Special Assistant to the President on Diaspora in London where he is currently receiving medical treatment for an undisclosed ailment. The team which was led by the Minister of Information, Alhaji Lai Mohammed had in attendance Senior Special Assistant on Diaspora Matters Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, Senior Special Assistant Media & Publicity Mallam Garba Shehu, Special Adviser Media and Publicity Femi Adesina and Personal Assistant Digital/Online Media Lauretta Onochie.
According to a statement released by Adeshina, the President said there was tremendous improvement in his health condition. He however added that his return to Nigeria will only be based on the recommendation of his doctors.
“I have learnt to obey my doctors’ orders rather than being the one issuing the orders. Here, the doctors are absolutely in charge.”
The statement read “When the team expressed delight at the much improved health of the President, he retorted: “I feel I could go home, but the doctors are in charge. I’ve now learnt to obey orders, rather than be obeyed”
“On how he felt hearing different conjectures about his health, an amused President Buhari said he followed events at home closely, lauding Nigerian television stations, and the media generally, for keeping him informed"
“When told that prayers were going on fervently for him, not only in Nigeria, but all over Africa, and round the world, a delighted President said: ‘What we did in The Gambia early this year fetched us a lot of goodwill on the African continent. It gave us a lot of latitude. I thank all those who are praying. May God reward them.’
The President departed Nigeria on May 7 for a follow-up medical checkup. Following delay in his return, some aggrieved Nigerians under the aegis of Concerned Nigerians embarked on a protest seeking the "Return or Resignation" of the President. The Protest tagged "Our Mumu Don Do" is still ongoing.
Meanwhile, a coalition of Civil Society Organizations has since commenced solidarity march across the Federal Capital Territory in support of the President. The groups claimed that the President has not violated any provision of the Constitution by seeking medical treatment abroad, having transmitted a letter to the National Assembly as required by law. They further held that since the country has an Acting President, there was no vacuum, making the anti-Buhari protest needless.
