Buhari says No one is above sickness

President Muhammadu Buhari

Olalekan Adetayo, Abuja

“Is there anybody that doesn’t fall sick?”

That was President Muhammadu Buhari’s parting shot to Nigerians on Monday as he departed the Nnamdi Azikwe International Airport Abuja for London where he is expected to see specialists over what the Presidency described as “persistent ear infection.”

The Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Mr. Femi Adesina, had announced on Sunday that Buhari would be proceeding on a 10-day vacation beginning from Monday during which he will see Ear, Nose and Throat specialist in London.

During a brief interaction he had with journalists before leaving the Presidential Wing of the airport, Buhari was asked to react to the tension being created that the President of the country is sick.

It was at that point that the President asked the reporters if there was anybody that does not fall sick.

When asked what his message to Nigerians would be at this time, Buhari simply said, “I have already told Nigerians that I am going for 10 days to get my ear checked.”

When further asked if he had communicated his decision to go on vacation to the National Assembly as required by law, the President said, “The National Assembly knows; they have been formally informed.”

With the notice to the National Assembly, Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo is expected to act as President for the period Buhari will be away.