‘Everyone falls sick’- Buhari

President Muhammadu Buhari on Monday confirmed that he was going to London for 10 days to get his health checked and the National Assembly has been duly informed.

The Presidency, however, insisted that the President is not sick but was going on a vacation. A scene that seems to be borrowed from the time of late President Umaru Yar’adua, only this time, the President was able to speak up for himself.

“I have already told Nigerians that I am going for 10 days to get my ear checked. The National Assembly knows, they have been formally informed. Is there anybody that doesn’t fall sick?” Buhari said in answer to a question by journalists who struggled to take parting photographs.

This is the second time the President is embarking on a holiday to the United Kingdom where many believe he courts a medical team. He hasn’t denied it. The President had in February taken a 5days leave, this time; the Presidency officially confirmed that he will be examined by E.N.T specialists.

Buhari was reported to be dealing with an infection in his left ear, known as Meniere Disease. This has reportedly caused a drastic reduction in his outings in the last couple of weeks, resulting in the cancellation of already scheduled trips to Lagos, Rivers, and Senegal.

Ménière’s disease according to an online encyclopaedia, Wikipedia, is a disorder of the inner ear that affects both hearing and balance. It is characterised by episodes of vertigo and by fluctuating or permanent tinnitus and hearing loss.

“The buzz going around town is that the President is “ill”, but “ill” will be a misnomer, it should not be the right word to use” Presidential Spokesman Femi Adesina told reporters at the Presidential wing of the Nnamdi Azikiwe Airport shortly before the President’s departure.

Buhari’s media aide had Sunday night confirmed fears of Nigerians that the President was ill, confirming that he was going to be away for 10 days and will also seek medical attention.

He said the President has been treating that ear locally for a while now and his physicians have advised him to seek alternative attention as a precaution.

“They have treated it locally so it is not a question of whether the President is ill. if he is i’ll, it presupposes that there are certain things that he cannot do.

“Till the very last minute that he is traveling, the President performed the duties and functions of his office as the President. “So illness is not the issue, but as a human being yes he can rest. He has been President for one full year, you know that in February he took 5days leave, he is taking another 10 days now that means 15 days
leave in one year.
You and I take more than that, so it is natural that the President as a human being is taking 10 days rest but he is not ill” he said adding that “we need to underscore that. Rather than going into a frenzy”.

He urged Nigerians to show goodwill and patriotism as well as “pray for him and wish him well. Things about health life and death are in the hands of God, but I believe that all is well without President and God will take care of him and take care of the country.”