The use of the word ‘sick’ while referring to President Muhammadu Buhari triggered a noisy plenary session in the House of Representatives on Tuesday, February 28.
According to a report on The Punch, members of the House of Representatives exchanged words on Tuesday over the health status of President Buhari.
Reps reportedly clash over Buhari’s health status
Get the Latest Nigerian News Anywhere 24/7. Spend less on the Internet
It was gathered that the disagreement, which was more pronounced among members of the ruling All Progressives Congress started after the House Majority Leader, Femi Gbajabiamila tried to stop the Chief Whip, Alhassan Ado-Doguwa, from describing the president as a sick man.
Gbajabiamila claimed that Buhari was on “medical vacation’ while Ado-Doguwa said the president was sick and was away to treat himself.
Both Gbajabiamila, who is from Lagos state, and Ado-Doguwa, who is from Kano state, are members of the APC.
Ado-Doguwa reportedly made the statement while he was contributing and opposing a motion seeking to investigate the alleged harassment of members of ‘Kwankwasia’ followers, a political group loyal to former Kano state governor, Senator Rabiu Kwankwaso.
He had stated that the motion, which was moved by a fellow Kano lawmaker, Aliyu Madaki, was “baseless” because the Kwankwasia group was known for moving around the state and inciting people against the political leadership.
Ado-Doguwa observed that the country was already under tension owing to the absence of Buhari and could not afford any “partisan” activities that could lead to insecurity.
He said that the group was already campaigning for the 2019 presidential elections in a volatile place like Kano.
He said: “Our beloved President is sick abroad.
“These partisan activities are completely unnecessary and baseless. The police must do their work of protecting lives and property anywhere in the country.”
President Buhari left Nigeria for London on annual vacation January 19, with a promise to return on February 6. He also noted that he would see his doctors while there and handed over power to Vice President Yemi Osinbajo.
But on February 5, a day before he was due to return, the president sent another letter to the National Assembly, informing lawmakers of his intention to extend the trip until his doctors complete ‘a cycle’ of medical examination on him.
The prolonged absence got many Nigerians worried and triggered speculation that the president is bedridden.
But photos of the president with a former Interim National Chairman of the ruling All Progressives Congress, Chief Bisi Akande and the party’s national leader, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu in London on Thursday, February 9, silenced speculators.
