Presidency Distances Buhari From Statement On Foreign Medical Trips

The Presidency has on Wednesday distanced President Muhammadu Buhari from a statement in circulation on Social Media, quoting the president to have criticised the use of taxpayers’ money for foreign medical treatment of government officials.

Femi Adesina, the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, described the statement purportedly made by President Buhari at Chatham House, London, in 2015, as fake.

Adesina quoted the fake statement allegedly made by Buhari as: “What is the difference between me and those who elected us to represent them, absolutely nothing. Why should Nigerian President not fly with other Nigerian public? Why do I need to embark on a foreign trip as a President with a huge crowd with public funds? Why do I need to go for a medical trip abroad if we cannot make our hospital (sic) functional? Why do we need to send our children to school abroad if we cannot developed (sic) our university (sic) to compete with the foreign ones?”

The Presidential spokesperson distanced President Buhari from the above statement, saying it was created by “the morbid minds”.

Adesina said, “The morbid minds that created the falsehood simply want to de-market and demean the President, having seen that defeating him in a free and fair electoral contest is a tall order. Therefore, they desire to instigate the electorate against him by creating statements that never existed, and attributing such to him.

“We are, however, glad that millions of Nigerians, young and old, are smart enough to see through the machinations. The dubious people will not succeed, as President Buhari’s reputation has been built over time, and sustained for decades. That is why he is widely acclaimed for integrity, transparency, honour, and accountability, both home and abroad. Negative minds can never erode or corrode this.

“Bitter emotions stunt the soul and defile the mind. Those behind it will find out, eventually, that they are the ones swallowing poison, and expecting another person to die. They will realize the folly of their actions, to their own grief.

“Decent Nigerians are urged to be wary of the fare they consume hook, line and sinker, particularly on social media. President Buhari is actuated by nothing else than love for motherland. He is poised to build a country which all Nigerians can proudly call their own. Noxious minds can still have a change of heart,” said the president presidential aide.

But a New York Times report of yesterday, May 8, 2018, quoted President Buhari to have indeed in 2016 condemned the use of taxpayers’ money to foot the foreign medical treatment of Nigerian public office holders.

The America newspaper quoted Buhari thus: “While this administration will not deny anyone of his or her fundamental human rights, we will certainly not encourage expending Nigerian hard-earned resources on any government official seeking medical care abroad, when such can be handled in Nigeria.”