Lai Mohammed dismisses those questioning Buhari's health as insincere mischief makers

INFORMATION minister Alhaji Lai Mohammed has assured Nigerians that President Muhammadu Buhari’s health will not pose any problems in the foreseeable future as he prepares to begin the 2019 election campaign.

Since assuming office in 2015, President Buhari has spent two lengthy spells out of Nigeria, going for health treatment in the UK, prompting fears about his health. Many political pundits expected the president's health concerns to lead to him standing down when his tenure ends next year but earlier this month, President Buhari said he will seek a second term.

Allaying fears that ill health may prevent President Buhari from mounting an effective nationwide election campaign, Alhaji Mohammed said there is no issue here. According to the minister, most people who have raised the issue of the president’s health, were not being sincere.

Speaking during his tour of media houses in the US, Alhaji Mohammed also declared that the Buhari administration had done well and recorded so many achievements in less than three years. He added that President Buhari would find his campaign much easier in 2019 because it will be achievement-based.

Alhaji Mohammed said: “Mr President, yes was ill but has recovered very well, so on the grounds of his health, there’s nothing to fear. While here I explained to the media that it is those who have a morbid fears about the president coming back in 2019 that are flying this kite about his health.

“His health is very good, since he came back in August, he’s feeling very well, he’s never missed one single Federal Executive Council meeting or cancelled any schedule despite his schedules being very hectic. He has faced his presidential duties with vigour, urgency and purpose, therefore, there’s nothing to fear about his health.”

He added that President Buhari is going to campaign largely about his achievements in the areas of the economy, fighting corruption, investing in people and they are very confident that the people of Nigeria, whose lives he has touched, will respond positively. According to the minister, President Buhari is going to consolidate on these things in his second term.

“By the time his campaign starts, I think he would have even more to speak about in all the areas he promised during 2015 campaign. He can beat his chest and say I have delivered on revamping the economy, I have delivered on fighting insecurity and I have delivered in fighting corruption," Alhaji Mohammed added.