₦airaland Forum

Nigerians have asked President Muhammadu Buhari to disclose how much he spent abroad for his medical treatment so everybody can see if indeed he truly sticks to his transparency promise to Nigerians at the inception of his administration.

It would be recalled that President Buhari came back to the country on 10th March, 2017 after almost 50 days medical leave abroad.

However, having spent almost a week after his return without disclosing his medical bills abroad, some Human Right experts have cited the Freedom of Information Act as a basis, demanding the President to tell Nigerians how much it cost him to get the treatment he got in London.

The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project, SERAP; Centre for Anti-Corruption and Open Leadership, Human rights lawyer, Mr. Femi Falana (SAN), and the Campaign for Democracy, among others, have mounted pressure on the President to disclose his medical bill in the UK because his administration rode to power on the pedestal of transparency, anti-corruption promise and change.

This is sequel to speculations that Buhari might have allegedly spent between £200 and £250 per hour for medical services in the UK.

However, Executive Director, SERAP, Mr. Adetokunbo Mumuni has said that Nigerians have the right to know how much tax-payer’s money their president spent abroad on medical treatment.

“Pursuant to the FOI Act, which was signed into law in 2011, every Nigerian has a right to know from any public office holder any information they think they must have. So, the Presidency should provide categorical answer to the question as Buhari’s medical bill abroad. This is a democracy and in democracy, there can be no opaqueness, everything must be clear and open.”

Lending credence to SERAP’s stand, Executive Chairman, Centre for Anti-Corruption and Open Leadership, Mr. Debo Adeniran said, “If the money with which the President treated himself abroad did not come from his purse, then he is under obligation to disclose to Nigerians how much he spent from our money on his health care.”

He added that, “As the results of the tests he had are out and the treatment has been done, there is no reason why the President should not tell us what was wrong with him and how much was spent on him. I believe that the President will not want to dent his image with this. When his aides said he was hale and hearty, he came back to say that he was indeed very ill. And he has said many things different from what his lieutenants want us to believe.”

“We want to know how much he has spent except if the money came directly from his pocket. If it was from the purse of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, then he is under obligation to disclose the cost of his treatment to Nigerians.”

Also, President, Campaign for Democracy, Bako Usman, said, “Whenever you are presiding over a set of people, irrespective of how large or little they are, there is nothing as good as having a very prudent housekeeping. That will add value to your credibility and transparency as regards the leadership role you are playing over such people. With the change mantra, we expect things to be done differently and more transparently. We expect more openness in governance.

“So the President should make available the cost of his medical treatment abroad. Someone advocating for a corrupt free society is supposed to be open. This government’s ‘Change Begins With Me’ campaign will be appreciated by the citizens if the President is open and transparent.

“It started as a vacation for 10 days and then extended to two weeks, three weeks and eventually to about 50 days. Nigerians have a right to know much the president spent and he should give Nigerians such information and let there be transparency and openness as regards whatever the administration is doing.”

In his own comment, Human rights lawyer, Mr. Femi Falana (SAN), said “while the President cannot be compelled to disclose the nature of his illness, if public funds are spent (on his health care), Nigerians are entitled to know how much was spent.”

He also said that, “Nigerians should know how much has been spent on the medical expenses incurred by the President in the United Kingdom since according to him; he has had the best of medical treatment.”

Read more at: http://www.vanguardngr.com/2017/03/nigerians-buhari-tell-us-much-spent-abroad-medical-treatments/

Lobatan, Mr Integrity over to you bubu

Or ??

May God help us in this country

What is the offence of this innocent man
Is he the first nigeria president that travel to another country for check up.
It is only in nigeria i see where the citizens did not respect their president in power
Baba pls forgive them their sin.

Nigerians are no more sleeping. I love this.

£250 per hour.. chai!...and people dey complain for nigeria here

Alhkerimu:
May God help us in this country
What is the offence of this innocent man is he the first nigeria

You are asking his offence after budgeting billions for Aso clinic and he ran outside the country to treat himself ?
He said he would run a transparent govt, so we need accountability.

Alhkerimu:
May God help us in this country

What is the offence of this innocent man
Is he the first nigeria president that travel to another country for check up.
It is only in nigeria i see where the citizens did not respect their president in power
Baba pls forgive them their sin.

I think he is the first to claim mr transparency. let him come and talk o.

I took note of this part:

“We want to know how much he has spent except if the money came directly from his pocket. If it was from the purse of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, then he is under obligation to disclose the cost of his treatment to Nigerians.”

I doubt Buhari paid for this trip himself. We really dont need to be funding medical treatment abroad if we have hospitals that can care for population domesticly. According to minister of health Dr Adewale Adekanye Ibom Specialist Hospital top tier within Nigeria.

Bubu tell these guys that your body odour is still intact by revealing how much has been spent on your medical trips so far.

If buhari can tell Nigeria how much he spent to treat himself make i break... Someone that is suppose to work on the medical health centers and facilities in Nigeria is the one leaving Nigeria for treatment abroad.... And some pple still dey shout Nigeria go better which nigeria abeg?

Lol .. .

Btw if you're interested in LEARNING buying and selling of ITunes Giftcards, check my signature.

Bubu claims he's fighting kwuruption...bros how much of our cash did you blow in London?

Alhkerimu:
May God help us in this country

What is the offence of this innocent man
Is he the first nigeria president that travel to another country for check up.
It is only in nigeria i see where the citizens did not respect their president in power
Baba pls forgive them their sin.

What exactly did they say wrong? Or did they ask the question wrongly?

A man who serves should not be beyond reach.

He went abroad to treat an ailment and couldn't even tell the citizenry what was wrong or how much was spent. That is corruption.

Right now the Federal Government can't promote made in Nigeria goods. They will be like "Buy Nigerian made goods and services" and the Nigerian people will be like "Hypocritical monkeys".