Former Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari is in London for medical treatment, according to reports. The former president, who served two terms and stepped down on May 29, 2023, has been overseas since April. Sources close to Mr. Buhari's family claim that he first traveled to the UK for what was billed as a standard medical examination before becoming ill. According to a source, "there are conflicting reports about when exactly he became unwell." Some claim he was flown away after becoming ill in Nigeria. Others maintain that he only became ill after traveling to London for routine checkups.
Garba Shehu, Mr. Buhari's longtime spokesperson, verified the development when reached.
In his response, Shehu clarified that Muhammadu Buhari, the former president, is indeed ill. In the UK, he has been undergoing treatment.
As you may remember, he said that he was heading for his annual checkup. He became ill there, but I'm glad to tell you that he's recovering nicely and is getting treatment. We hope and pray that he recovers well.
The specifics of Mr. Buhari's condition and the name of the facility where he is receiving treatment are still unknown. But the move might bring his history of extended medical trips overseas during his presidency back into the spotlight.
Mr. Buhari frequently sought medical attention in London while in government from 2015 to 2023, a practice that attracted criticism from the public and generated discussions regarding the standard of healthcare in Nigeria. Among the noteworthy examples are:
- February 2016: Concerns regarding the condition of Nigeria's healthcare system were raised when Mr. Buhari traveled to London for the first time for an unexplained illness.
- June 2016: The Nigerian Medical Association criticized him for ignoring local knowledge when he traveled back to the UK to cure an ear infection.
- January 2017: For "routine medical check-ups," he traveled to London for 50 days. Later, without revealing any information about his condition, his office prolonged the trip.
In May 2017, Mr. Buhari took his longest medical leave, spending 104 days in London, which sparked widespread skepticism about his ability to govern.
