Ex-President Buhari Hospitalised in London for Health Treatment

Former Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari is currently undergoing medical treatment in London, multiple sources familiar with the situation have confirmed to Premium Times.

Buhari, who completed his second term in office in May 2023, has been outside the country since April. Sources close to the family revealed that the former president initially travelled to the United Kingdom for a routine medical check-up, but subsequently took ill.

“There are conflicting reports regarding the timeline of his illness,” one source disclosed. “Some believe he became unwell while still in Nigeria and was flown abroad. Others say the health issues began after he arrived in London for his scheduled medical appointment.”

When contacted, Garba Shehu, Mr Buhari’s longtime spokesperson, confirmed the development.

“It is true that former President Muhammadu Buhari is currently unwell and undergoing treatment in the United Kingdom,” Shehu stated. “You may recall that he had earlier announced plans for his annual medical check-up. Unfortunately, he became ill during the visit. However, I’m pleased to inform you that he is responding well to treatment, and we continue to pray for his full recovery.”

The specific nature of Mr Buhari’s illness and details of the medical facility treating him have not been disclosed. His latest health episode has reignited public discussions about his longstanding reliance on medical treatment abroad during his presidency.

Throughout his tenure from 2015 to 2023, Buhari frequently sought medical care in the UK, a practice that drew widespread criticism and sparked debates about the state of Nigeria’s healthcare system. Notable examples include:

• February 2016: Buhari took his first medical trip to London for an undisclosed illness, triggering concerns about domestic healthcare capacity.
• June 2016: He returned to London to treat an ear infection, prompting criticism from the Nigerian Medical Association for neglecting local medical experts.
• January 2017: The president spent 50 days in the UK for what was described as routine health checks, though few details were provided to the public.
• May 2017: Buhari embarked on his longest medical trip, spending 104 days in London, a period that raised serious questions about his health and ability to lead.

The latest development has once again brought the spotlight on Nigeria’s healthcare challenges and the medical tourism culture among the country’s political elite.

Political Fallout as Buhari’s Allies Join Opposition

Buhari’s health concerns come at a politically sensitive time, as several of his former appointees have joined the opposition coalition working to unseat President Bola Tinubu in the 2027 elections.

Prominent figures such as Rotimi Amaechi, Abubakar Malami, Rauf Aregbesola, and Hadi Sirika, all of whom served under Buhari, have been criticised by the Tinubu administration for aligning with the coalition, which recently adopted the African Democratic Congress (ADC) as its new platform.

The presidency has described the defectors as driven by personal ambition rather than ideology, with top officials like Bayo Onanuga and Festus Keyamo predicting that the coalition will unravel due to internal divisions.

Observers say the absence of Buhari, a key figure within the APC, from Nigeria’s political space could further expose the deepening cracks within the ruling party, as rival factions reposition ahead of the next elections.