President Muhammadu Buhari -This is my worst sickness, osinbajo should continue as the acting president
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Recounting the severity of his ailment which required blood transfusion while in London,
President Muhammadu Buhari announced yesterday that he had never been so sick in his life.
He said although he was feeling better, he would require follow-up medicare in the next few weeks, but for now requires to continue resting in Abuja while Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo carries on with his work till after the weekend.
He spoke at the Presidential Villa, Abuja during a meeting he held with Osinbajo, defence and police chiefs, some ministers and governors as well as some senior government officials, shortly after he arrived by helicopter from Kaduna.
He was welcomed at the State House helipad by Osinbajo, military chiefs, Minister of FCT, Mohammed Bello and other top government aides.
He had earlier landed at the Airforce Base in Kaduna at 8:47 am from London after almost two months there attending to his health.
Dressed in black kaftan and a contrasting northern cap, the President was immediately driven to the meeting which held at the First Lady’s Conference Room of the Villa.
Buhari, who advised Nigerians against self medication, said
“I have rested as much as humanly possible, I have received I think, the best of treatment i could receive.
“I couldn’t recall being so sick since I was a young man, including in the military with its ups and downs. I found out that technology is going so fast that if you have a lot of confidence you better keep it because you need it.
“Blood transfusions, going to the laboratories, and so on and so forth, but I am very pleased that we, when I say we I mean the government and the people all over, are trying to keep with technology.
“I couldn’t recall when last I had blood transfusion, I couldn’t recall honestly, I can say in my 70 years
“I couldn’t remember this drug that Nigerians take so much, very common… I think one of our terrible things is self drug administration. We have to trust our doctors more and trust ourselves more because where I visited, they only take drugs when it is absolutely necessary. They don’t just swallow everything.
“Having said that I am pleased that I am back, I am pleased that the Vice President enjoyed this break and he has to do much more this time around.
“Youth and intellect is squarely behind him, age and purely military experience is behind me. Continue to do the work. Nigeria will continue whether we are here or not.
“I deliberately came back towards the weekend, so that the Vice President will continue and I will continue to rest.”
Buhari thanked Nigerians for praying for his eventual recovery and return to Nigeria, and advised them to continue with prayers instead of sending delegations to Abuja to welcome him.
His words: “I am deeply grateful to all Nigerians, Muslims and Christians alike, who have prayed and continue to pray for my good health. This is a testimony that inspite of the hardship being experienced, Nigerians support the government in its efforts to tackle our country’s challenges.
“The best way me to pay you all is to rededicate myself to serving you, protecting your interest and keeping your trust. I thank you very much.
“I feel much better now. All I will need is to do further follow ups within some weeks.
“Rather than sending delegations to Abuja to welcome me, may I appeal to our people to continue to pray for the country’s unity, progress and prosperity. I thank you very much and may God bless our country.
