The statement making the round on Social Media and even featured in some prominent online Media outlets alleged to have been made by President Muhammadu Buhari in Chatham House in 2015, that he will not make medical trips abroad if he became President, is fake.
The President recently announced that he would be visiting London for a medical check-up and would spend four days before returning to the Country.
The announcement generated reactions and concerns as many queried why he desired a second term despite the status of his health. Other suggested that he should have resigned and pay close attention to his health, recalling that he had spent a long time treating himself last year.
For some, the number one citizen has lost faith in the health sector of the Country, that is why he is traveling out for medical attention.
In all the reactions, a statement was credited to the President, implying that a Nigerian President should not be flown abroad for medical treatment as he would not do same if he attains the position.
“What is the difference between me and does who elect us to represent them, absolutely nothing. Why would Nigerian President to fly with other Nigerian public. Why do I need to embark on a foreign trip as a President with a huge crowd with public funds.
“Why do I need to go for foreign medical trip if we cannot make our hospital functional? Why do we need to send our children to school abroad if we cannot develop our University to compete with foreign ones?” The statement read.
He was alleged to have made the statement during his Presidential campaign speech at Chatham House in February 2015.
But a Fact-Check by ETN24 revealed the President never said the statement or made anything similar to it during his speech.
The Chatham House speech was where the President had spoken about how the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is facing “its stiffest opposition so far” since Nigeria transited to civilian rule in 1999.
He also addressed the accusations by some British newspaper who referred to him as a former dictator.
The President said his dictatorship had ended with the Military rule, as he is now a “converted Democrat” who is ready to operate under democratic norms and is subjecting himself to the rigors of democratic elections for the fourth time. ”
In the whole speech, the President never made those Statement attributed to him.
Without prejudice to the debate on the appropriateness of a sitting President getting treatment overseas, ETN24 is committed to exposing lies told to push arguments – right ones or wrong ones.
