Buhari leaves for Britain to seek treatment over an ear infection

ABUJA

Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari begins a 10-day vacation on Tuesday that will see him seek further medical attention in the UK, authorities confirmed.

The news came after weeks of speculation about the head of state’s health. The President’s Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Mr Femi Adesina, said the Nigeria leader would travel to London on Monday.

“During the holiday, he will see an ENT specialist for a persistent ear infection.

“The President was examined by his personal physician and an ENT specialist in Abuja, and was treated,” Mr Adesina said in a statement.
“Both Nigerian doctors recommended further evaluation, purely as a precaution,’’ the statement added.

President Buhari had scaled down his official schedule in the past few weeks.

He could not attend his first official visit to Lagos where he was scheduled to commission many projects.

The President was last week represented at the launch of the $1 billion clean-up project for the oil rich Ogoniland.

The Nigerian presidency is historically cagey about health matters concerning the head of state.

The influential Guardian newspaper on Sunday quoted Mr Adesina as denying media reports that Buhari was seriously ill.

The reports indicated that the ear infection has given the president hearing difficulties, the newspaper said.

As at April this year, President Buhari was on his 26th trip since May 29, 2015 when he was sworn in. That trip was to China.

The President and his supporters have been quick to point out that such trips had restored the image and reputation of the nation. After the China visit, President Buhari visited Britain last month.

The President’s achievements, according to his supporters include the increase in foreign direct investments, foreign aid and the renewed commitments to the war against corruption.

SALARIES DELAYED

Political activist Olisa Metuh, said: “A country where there is no petrol, no electricity and where salaries are delayed, require the presence of its leader at home to address these problems.’’

In April, the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) indicated it would organise a one-day nationwide strike to draw the attention of the country’s problems to the President.

However, the Buhari administration believes the myriad problems bedevilling Nigeria could be solved with the assistance of the international community.

The visit to China was expected to yield a $2 billion interest free loan, which would enable Nigeria to fund the budget deficit and ongoing infrastructure development. President Buhari took over from Goodluck Jonathan who took over after the death of Umaru Musa Yar’Adua in May 2010.

Among the countries visited by President Buhari so far are: Niger, Chad, Germany, South Africa and the US, where he was invited by President Barack Obama. President Buhari has also visited the UN General Assembly in New York.

The President has also visited Ghana. He also visited France following an invitation from his French counterpart Francois Hollande.

Mr Buhari has also visited India, Iran on invitation, and Malta to participate in the 2015 Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting.