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The People’s Democratic Party (PDP) has noted that President Muhammadu
Buhari cannot effectively discharge his official duties as a result of his
ill health.
Buttressing this point of view, the PDP said the President’s latest
medical trip to the United Kingdom was a confirmation that “President
Buhari is unwell, ailing and unfit to attend to state matters.
Addressing the media in Abuja on Tuesday, the National Publicity Secretary
of the PDP, Mr. Kola Ologbondiyan, said it’s very unfortunate that the
President and his handlers had chosen to shroud the issue of his
persistent illness in secrecy whereas the government prides itself on
claims of transparency and integrity.
“Nigerians will recall that shortly before the Commonwealth Heads of
Government Meeting (CHOGM) in April, Mr. President, without transmitting a
letter to the National Assembly, as required by the constitution,
undertook a private visit to the UK, where his doctors are known to
reside, five clear days ahead of CHOGM. Nigerians were left in the dark
for the period despite demands for full disclosure by the PDP.
“Only last week, two days after his departure from the United States where
he had gone for a state visit, Mr. President went ‘missing’ again. When
concerns began to mount on his whereabouts, the Presidency claimed he had
a ‘technical stopover’ in the UK, citing flight issues, only for
revelations to emerge from the same Presidency, on Monday, that Mr.
President was actually in the UK to see his doctors.
“In these circumstances, Nigerians were taken for granted, deceived and
treated like lesser men and women without reasoning capacity, while our
nation, at those periods, was left with no leadership as Mr. President
refused to transmit power as required by the 1999 Constitution, as
amended”.
While stating that it has no objection to the President taking care of his
ailing health, the party said Nigerians have come to detest the deception,
lies and beguiling that have trailed the handling of Buhari’s health
issues.
The PDP said it’s more concerned that Nigerians are being kept in the dark
about the nature of the President’s ailment and the identity of the
doctors and the hospital attending to him.
The main opposition deplored a situation where a siting President would
continue to embark on medical tourism abroad when his administration has
completely refused to address the poor state of the health sector in the
country, even as medical personnel are currently on strike across the
nation.
“In conclusion, we urge the Presidency to note that shrouding the issue of
President Buhari’s illness in secrecy, just for political gains, is
neither in the interest of the President nor that of our nation at large.
“Sordidly, the handlers of Mr. President appear to be more concerned about
the next election instead of the consequences of a failing health and the
blatant breaches of our constitution. The PDP therefore counsels President
Buhari to be well guided and take charge of his health challenges”, the
PDP added.