Vice President Kashim Shettima recently paid a discreet visit to former President Muhammadu Buhari in London, amid rising concerns over the latter’s health condition, Daily Trust has reported.
Buhari, who is currently undergoing medical treatment in an undisclosed hospital in London, was said to have been placed in intensive care during the early stages of his admission.
However, he has reportedly shown significant improvement and is now recovering well.
According to credible sources, Vice President Shettima travelled to London penultimate Sunday night and visited the former president the following Monday morning. During the same trip, Shettima also visited former Head of State, General Abdulsalami Abubakar.
Responding to inquiries about the visit, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Communications (Office of the Vice President), Stanley Nkwocha, confirmed Shettima’s trip to London but described it as a strictly private affair.
The visit comes amidst growing anxiety over Buhari’s health. On Monday night, speculations circulated widely, suggesting a possible deterioration in the former president’s condition.
Attempts by Daily Trust to reach Buhari’s former spokesman, Garba Shehu, were initially unsuccessful. However, Shehu later responded via SMS, saying:
“The information available to me is that he (Buhari) is in a recovery mode.”
Since leaving office in 2023, Buhari has largely maintained a low-profile lifestyle, mostly in Daura, Katsina State, and Kaduna, occasionally traveling abroad for medical reasons.
His health, while in office from 2015 to 2023, was a topic of national concern. In 2017, he spent over 100 days in London receiving treatment for an undisclosed ailment. Additional medical trips followed in 2018 and 2021.
Further confirmation of Buhari’s current condition came from Garba Shehu, who stated:
“It is true that the former President, Muhammadu Buhari, is unwell. He has been receiving treatment in the UK… He became ill there, but I am happy to announce to you that he is doing well in his recovery. We pray for his healthy recovery.”
Meanwhile, Bashir Ahmad, former Special Assistant on Digital Communications to President Buhari, dismissed reports that the former leader was critically ill or in an ICU.
“In light of the recent media reports suggesting that former President Muhammadu Buhari is critically ill and has been admitted to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU), we find it necessary to set the record straight,” Ahmad wrote on his verified X handle.
He acknowledged Buhari’s ill health but stressed the situation was not as grave as widely portrayed:
“It is true that former President Buhari is unwell… However, contrary to the exaggerated claims… he is stable and responding well to treatment. We are optimistic about his full recovery.”
Ahmad also expressed gratitude to Nigerians and Buhari’s global supporters for their continued prayers and goodwill during the recovery period.
As of now, there is no official update from the presidency on Buhari’s expected return to the country.
