JUST IN: Nigeria ‘Shuts Down’ As Nationwide Protest Begins, Over Buhari’s Ailing Health In London

The Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, is set to stage a nationwide protest, over the perceived ailing health of President Muhammadu Buhari, if he refuses to speak to Nigerians from the United Kingdom, UK, or come back on the agreed date.

Recall, that Buhari’s medical vacation in the UK, ends on February 10.

The planned protest, came against the backdrop of the Presidency’s comment that Nigerians would not compel Buhari to speak, and by so doing, it would be an infringement on his fundamental human rights.

“The fact that he is a President, he still has his rights. Compelling him to come out and talk will be infringing on his rights. The President will talk, if he wishes to. If he doesn’t wish to, nobody will compel him to talk”, the President’s Aide, Femi Adesina had said However, in a swift reaction, the NLC argued that it would be proper for the President to make a public appearance, to dispel rumours in the country about his health.

The General Secretary of the NLC, Dr. Peter Ozo-Eson, insisted that the President should speak to Nigerians, since Nigerians were worried about his health. Ozo-Eson said: “In the social media, stories circulate without confirmation; I think that the easiest way is to talk publicly to the nation, because the citizens are concerned about their leader’s whereabouts. “If there are those who orchestrated  rumours and they are not true, the easiest way is for him to reach out to Nigerians through a public appearance and a statement.

“Nigerians have a right to be certain about the health situation of their President, and the people who orchestrate rumours and unsubstantiated reports, one would wish for him to call their bluff, by publicly addressing the citizens.” Elsewhere, the TUC said it would not be necessary for the President to address Nigerians, since he had not been away for long. The President of the TUC, Bala Kaigama, stated that Buhari demanded a rest, and handed over government to the Vice President. According to him, Nigerians can talk about the President’s health, if he fails to return after the 10-day period of rest he requested. 

He said: “Why do we have to make noise about this? He is coming back; if he were to go and stay for a very long time, it is a different thing. If we have patience, he will come back. We are just being unnecessarily demanding. “This is somebody who demanded a rest, and he has handed over the government to the Vice President. So our concern is how the VP is handling it; but it his health that has become the issue of the moment. “But we should allow the old man to have his rest. It is normal for somebody of that age to need rest from time to time. If he goes to rest, that does not mean that government will not work now. Let the old man enjoy his rest. “If he does not come back on the day he is supposed to come, that is when we can talk, but for now, let us allow him to have his rest. Why does he have to come and address us? It doesn’t make any sense.”

Source: Post Nigeria