Nigerians have learnt that there is no set date for President Muhammadu Buhari’s return to London for further medical treatment as disclosed by the president on his return on Friday, March 10, 2017.
In an interview on Arise News Network on Sunday, Garba Shehu, one of the president’s spokespersons, revealed that that Buhari had not given formal notice that he will need to go back to London for further medical treatment.
According to the presidential spokesperson, the actual date “remains uncertain” and the decision would be determined solely by the president and his doctors.
Garba noted that the president had given notice that he will need to go back, which he described as is normal.
The presidential aide said since Buhari’s return, everyone at the said presidential villa felt a sense of relief.
He said the return of the president is a vindication of the position by the presidency that Buhari had not died like some people had said.
“Our colleagues who were with him there – the pressure on them – everybody wanted to see the president, rulers, traditional rulers, chiefs, ministers, governors, everyone wanted to go to London and see the president and the denial of that access, which was on the advice of doctors, placed them under considerable pressure.”
Speaking on conflicting reports surrounding the president’s illness, Garba said: “You don’t say what you don’t know, that is one.
“Two, matters of medical disclosure are extremely private. In the course of the process, Femi Adesina got a long note from the Minister of Health, Prof. Isaac Adewole, describing what disclosure would mean in medical science.”
He added that it was up to the patient to disclose what his ailment is, as even the doctor cannot disclose it to anyone.
“Let me confirm to you that the president had no knowledge of the ailment even before he left. He just went for a medical check up,” Shehu stated.
The presidency also downplayed expectations from Nigerians that President Muhammadu Buhari will resume work in a “dramatic way” after spending 50 days in London, treating an undisclosed ailment.
Garba said the president needs is a careful and slow resumption of duty following his return to the country.
