President Bola Tinubu has dispatched Vice President Kashim Shettima to London to visit former President Muhammadu Buhari, who is reportedly receiving medical treatment in an undisclosed hospital in the United Kingdom.
THISDAY gathered on Thursday that Shettima was instructed to proceed to London directly from Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, where he had been attending the launch of the Green Legacy Initiative (GLI) at the invitation of Ethiopian Prime Minister, Dr. Abiy Ahmed Ali. The event also provided an opportunity for the Vice President to explore Ethiopia’s strides in agricultural development.
According to reliable sources, Tinubu made the decision after receiving confirmation that Buhari had been hospitalized. The President, who was preparing for an official trip to St. Lucia at the time, urgently contacted Shettima and directed him to visit the ailing ex-president and provide a detailed briefing upon his return.
Speculation about Buhari’s health surfaced last week amid reports that he had been admitted to intensive care. However, his former Special Assistant on Digital Communications, Bashir Ahmad, dismissed the more alarming aspects of those claims.
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In a statement posted on social media platform X (formerly Twitter), Ahmad acknowledged that Buhari, 81, was indeed unwell but emphasized that the situation was not as dire as suggested in some media outlets.
“It is true that former President Buhari is unwell and is currently receiving medical attention. However, contrary to the exaggerated claims circulating in the media, he is stable and responding well to treatment and we are optimistic about his full recovery,” Ahmad wrote.
He further expressed gratitude for the widespread support and prayers, stating: “We appreciate the outpouring of prayers and goodwill from his supporters and well-wishers around the world. We continue to pray for his complete and speedy recovery.”