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Buhari’s medical bill is Nigeria’s duty to pay, says aide

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9 years ago

August 15, 2017

The Special Adviser to President Muhammadu Buhari on Media and Publicity has said his boss’ medical bills are Nigeria’s responsibility to foot any time he is sick—as a matter of rights.

Whle Femi Adesina has no idea about the details of the medical expense, he believes it’s a non-issue discussing who pays for the over 100 days Nigeria’s No 1 citizen has spent on sick leave in London.

“I do not know who is paying,” Adesina said, “but as a president, he has a right to be treated by the country.”

“We need to know,” Seun Okinbaloye, a Channel TV presenter said while interview Adsina on Politics Today on Monday.

“He is our president. He is a public official. This shouldn’t be shrouded in secrecy,” the presenter said.

The constitution has no clear path on this. But the Public Service Rule, to which Buhari must subscribe, states 43 days.

ALSO SEE: Buhari among African leaders who ‘lack faith’ in own health system

Adesina was a part of the delegation that met Buhari during the weekend. He described the him as “sharp, smart, and lucid.”

“But like I said in the statement we issued, he will come when his doctors say ‘it’s time to go home’,” he added.

Buhari’s continuous stay outside the country for about 100 days now has been heating up the polity.

Protesters, for and against, the president have been clashing in Abuja. The #ourmumudonedo coalition have demanded the president returns to assume his position or resigns. Others, including #letthepresidentrest , however, said he constitutionally transferred power to his vice [resident, Yemi Osinbajo, before travelling out of the country.

They also insist the constitution has no time limit for a president on sick leave abroad.