One of the world's most populous countries has been without its leader for almost a month, and no one seemswilling to explain why.Muhammadu Buhari,the 74-year-old president of Nigeria, has been the subject of swirling rumors, conspiracy theories and downright fabrications since he flew to London on Jan 19.
This uncertainty hasn't been helped by the lack of information provided by Buhari's team.A full 29 days after the president left, neither he nor his aides have explained exactly why he is there, nor when he plans to return."We will let you know when he is coming back," Buhari's special adviser, Femi Adesina,told NBC News by telephone Friday. "All of the information [about his situation] is in the public domain."“It’s a long time for a head of state to be out of the country.”Buhari's team has indeed provided some information about his trip, initially billing it as a "short annual vacation" during which time he would undergo some "routine medical check-ups."However, on Feb. 5, a day before he was due to return, the septuagenarian leader informedhis 180 million citizens that he would be"extending his vacation."The president needed to stay in London"complete and receive the results of a series of tests recommended by his doctors," Adesina said in a statement.This time, no return date was given, and the rumor mill went into overdrive.Having not seen their leader in weeks, some Nigerians speculated Buhari was gravely ill oreven dead, according to one conspiracy theory doing the rounds.These fears were allayed this week after Buhari held his first official phone call with President Donald Trump. Two days later, Nigerian Senate Leader Bukola Saraki flew to London and posted pictures showing Buhari smiling and shaking hands with officials.
Our system of democracy is working with all organs of govt fulfilling their mandate. let me use the time tested cliché, no cause for alarmpic.twitter.com/YY3ELvd602— Bukola Saraki (@bukolasaraki)February 15, 2017
"We were delighted to see that President Buhari is doing well, was cheerful and in good spirits," Saraki said. "The president I saw today is healthy, witty and himself."However, though Saraki said the president was set for an "imminent return," he did not provide a precise date, nor explain exactly why Buhari's stay was extended."Obviously something is going on that meanshis long absence is necessary," said Elizabeth Donnelly, deputy head of the Africa program atChatham House, a London-basedthink tank. "It's a long time for a head of stateto be out of the country."While Buhari is in London, Vice President Yemi Osinbajo has been acting as leader. Buthe has taken the wheel at a difficult time for Africa's largest economy and biggest oil producer.A slump in global oil prices saw its economy slip into recession last year, and theyears-long struggle against Boko Harammilitants has forced millions to flee their homes.The United Nations said that Nigeria could experience "a famine unlike any we have everseen anywhere" unless something is done to help these people."A time of economic crisis tends to fuel speculation and feed the rumor mill," Donnelly said.
Nigerians might also find Buhari's convalescence troubling because they pay somuch for their leaders and high-ranking officials to have treatment abroad while their own health system suffers.Ordinary Nigerians spent about $6.3 billion in2015 for this so-called "medical tourism," according to The Associated Press.
This is despite taxpayers' funding of the State House Medical Center, said to be Nigeria's best-equipped facility, which servesthe president and vice president, their families and staff.The center's budget this year of some $12 million to care for fewer than 1,000 people is 1 percent of the country's entire public healthbudget, the AP reported.For now, Nigerian officials remain tight lippedon the details.
"The man has a right to go on vacation," adviser Adesina said Friday. "And during that time he just underwent some medical tests."