Vice President Kashim Shettima has paid a visit to former President Muhammadu Buhari in London, following President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s directive, amid concerns over the former leader’s health.
According to sources, the visit was initiated after the Presidency received unsettling reports about Buhari’s health condition. President Tinubu reportedly instructed Shettima to proceed to London after completing his official engagement in Ethiopia, to personally assess Buhari’s state of health and ensure necessary support was provided.
Shettima had earlier attended the inauguration of Ethiopia’s Green Legacy Initiative (GLI) in Addis Ababa at the invitation of Ethiopian Prime Minister, Dr. Abiy Ahmed Ali. He also used the visit to study the country’s agricultural transformation.
Upon his arrival in London, the Vice President went directly to see the former President and spent several hours with him, conveying President Tinubu’s goodwill message and offering prayers for his speedy recovery.
In addition to visiting Buhari, Shettima also checked on former Head of State, General Abdulsalami Abubakar, who is also in London recuperating after undergoing medical treatment. Abdulsalami, who is 83 years old, led Nigeria’s transition from military to civilian rule in 1999.
While the nature of Buhari’s ailment has not been officially disclosed, his former aide, Bashir Ahmad, confirmed that the ex-president is currently receiving medical attention but assured Nigerians that he is stable and improving.
“It is true that former President Buhari is unwell and is currently receiving medical attention. However, contrary to the exaggerated claims circulating in the media, he is stable and responding well to treatment, and we are optimistic about his full recovery,” Ahmad wrote on social media platform X.
Responding to enquiries, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Communications (Office of the Vice President), Mr. Stanley Nkwocha, confirmed that Shettima had travelled to the UK on a private visit but said he was not privy to the details of the trip.
“It was an entirely private trip. I didn’t have access to his itinerary,” Nkwocha said.
The visit comes amid growing public interest in the health status of Nigeria’s former leaders, especially following recent media reports suggesting concern over Buhari’s well-being.
