Nigeria’s President Muhammadu Buhari on Tuesday, May 8, 2018, departed Nigeria for the United Kingdom on a medical trip.
According to a statement from the Nigerian presidency signed by Garba Shehu, one of the president’s spokesperson, Buhari is undertaking “a four-day trip to the United Kingdom” on the advise of his doctor in London.
Buhari’s Twitter account revealed this development on Monday, May 7, 2018, adding fuel to the calls for the president’s ouster from power over his failing health.
“I will be traveling to the United Kingdom tomorrow, to see my doctor, at his request. Will be away for four days; back in Abuja on Saturday, May 12, 2018,” the president said on the micro-blogging website.
I will be traveling to the United Kingdom tomorrow, to see my doctor, at his request. Will be away for four days; back in Abuja on Saturday, May 12.
— Muhammadu Buhari (@MBuhari) May 7, 2018
“In the course of the technical stop-over for aircraft maintenance in London on his way back from Washington last week, the president had a meeting with his doctor,” a statement from Aso Rock said.
“The doctor requested the president to return for a meeting which he agreed to do.
The president is expected to return on Saturday, May 12, 2018.
“On his return, the President’s two-day State Visit to Jigawa, which was postponed because of the All Progressives Congress, APC’s Ward Congresses, will now take place on Monday 14, 2018, and Tuesday May 15, 2018,” the brief statement said.
President Buhari has spent more than half of his tenure abroad on medical treatment at the expense of the Nigerian taxpayer. His frequent medical trips abroad have been subject of conversation in the political and social arena.
Critics of the president, who as a candidate, condemned foreign trips for public officials in the country, say that his foreign medical tourism is an embarrassment to Nigeria and some say that Buhari ought to resign for failing in key sectors of the economy which include health care.
