Health Crisis: Buhari May Extend 10-Day London Trip

Sahara Reporters has exclusively learned that President Muhammadu Buhari’s urgent 10-day trip to London to treat an ear infection may be extended because he also needs attention for “a terrible cough that has persisted longer than the ear infection.”

The President began his trip on Monday.  In a statement, the presidential Senior Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina, described his principal’s ear infection as “persistent”.

Last week, Mr. Buhari cancelled an official visit to Lagos State on account of the same problem, according to statements by the President’s Office at that time.  He subsequently also canceled scheduled visits to Ogoni for the launch of a major clean-up campaign, and to Senegal for an ECOWAS engagement.

Sources speaking on condition of anonymity told SaharaReporters today there are about 10 persons on Mr. Buhari’s support team to London.

“This includes his [Mr. Buhari’s] physician Dr. Sanusi Rafindadi and another [medical] consultant,” the source stated.

Other members of the team include his Aide-de-Camp, Lt. Colonel Muhammed Lawal Abubakar; the State Chief of Protocol (SCOP) Lawal Kazaure; the Chief Security Officer (CSO); his Personal Assistant, and a cook.

A source also disclosed that Mr. Buhari will reside in “Abuja House,” the official residence of the Nigerian High Commissioner to the United Kingdom.

This source explained that the President is expected to remain in outpatient care in the days following his medical visit, which suggests that surgery may be on the cards for the Nigerian leader.President Muhammadu Buhari at the Nnamdi Azikiwe Int Airport today before deprting for London, UKState House Photos/ Sunday Aghaeze