Why Buhari missed FEC meeting again – FG ‘President will soon return to UK for treatment’

The Federal Government yesterday shrugged off increasing public concerns over President Muhammadu Buhari’s health as the president missed his third weekly cabinet meeting in a row.

Information Minister Lai Mohammed explained to reporters that though the president was in the office on Tuesday, his doctors advised him to take some rest yesterday.

He also disclosed that Buhari would soon return to the United Kingdom for further medical attention.

The minister spoke to State House reporters after a cabinet meeting

presided over by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo.

He said: “All he is doing is that he is following the doctors’ advice.

“So, whatever is happening today is not any new development. (It) is actually what he said that he has been advised to take it easy by his doctors and that he would soon also go back for further medical attention in the UK.” He said Buhari deserved commendation for being transparent in the matter concerning his health.

“I know you will want to know why the President was not at the meeting. You are also aware that the President was at his office yesterday (Tuesday) and worked at the office.

”I think about a few days before now we did come out to say he has been asked to take some rest by his doctors and he chose today (yesterday) to rest instead of attending the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting.

“I want to use this opportunity to thank Nigerians who have expressed a lot of concern and sympathy and those who have been praying for him. We always said Mr President will stick to his doctors’ advice so that he can recover much more quickly.”

He dismissed a media report that Buhari’s health had deteriorated to the level that he was being fed intravenously.

“It is absolutely bunkum. It is absolutely untrue that he is being fed.

“He was in the office yesterday as you all reported. If the doctor says `oh, you take a rest,’ I think you recover faster when you rest; you ought to rest rather than forcing yourself to work when you are not fit to work.

“All he is doing is that he is following the doctors’ advice.

“So, whatever is happening today is not any new development.

Former chairman of the ruling APC, Bisi Akande few days ago accused the president’s aides of exploiting his health situation for selfish reasons saying this would undermine Nigeria’s democracy.

He was supported by the pan-Yoruba cultural group, Afenifere as well as Ohanaeze Ndigbo who went further to urge the president to take another medical vacation.

Yesterday, the Arewa Consultative Forum asked individuals to stop making careless remarks saying what the president needs at the moment are prayers.

Also, President Buhari’s wife Aisha took to twitter handle to announce that her husband’s health was not as bad as it is being portrayed.

“I wish to inform everyone that his health is not as bad as it is being perceived. Meanwhile, he continues to carry out his responsibilities during this period,” she said.