Buhari Now A Private Citizen, Demanding For His Health Status Disrespectful – Presidential Aide

Lauretta Onochie, special assistant to the president on social media, has criticized those calling on President Muhammadu Buhari to declare his health status.

Speaking on Channels Television’s Politics Today, Onochie said the President is a private citizen and anyone demanding for his health status is “very disrespectful”.

The Presidential aide who was reacting to a protest demanding that Mr Buhari resigns or resume work, said the President has the right to disclose or not to disclose the state of his health.

President Buhari has been away from the country since May 7, 2017, for medical “follow-up” for an undisclosed ailment.

“For the life of me, I have no idea why anybody would disrespect another by asking for the details of their health status. As we speak, we have an acting president,” Onochie said.

“As we speak, President Buhari seems to be like a private citizen at the moment. We have no right and it is very disrespectful for anyone to ask for his health status. In the UK where I came from nobody would release anybody’s health record to another, not even the members of their family unless the person decides to approve.

“On the social media, the president is well loved by Nigerians. I come across a lot of Nigerians who wish him well.

“The prerogative to speak on his ailment lies only on President Buhari. If he chooses, it is a choice. It is very disrespectful and very intrusive. We are intruding into his private rights. He has rights too as a citizen of Nigeria. Anybody can get ill, it is not something planned.

“The president is receiving medical care in the UK, Nigerians are praying for him. They want him to get well. Governance is going well, the economy is improving. We are nearly out of recession,” she added.