Nigeria's President Buhari Comes Under Fire For Medical Trip Abroad Despite N3.8 billion Aso Rock Medical Budget

President Buhari’s medical/vacation trip is still raising dust from every corner of the political spectrum in Nigeria as politicians take turns to lambast the president for his trip to seek medical attention in UK for a recurring ear infection despite the humongous N3.87bn allocated to State House Medical Centre, Aso Villa, Abuja in the 2016 Appropriation Act.

Chairman of the Kwara State Chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party, Chief Iyiola Oyedepo, and the Executive Director, Community Outreach for Development and Welfare Advocacy, Mr. Taiwo Otitolaye, both submitted

“With what was budgeted for the Aso Villa clinic and with everything that ought to have been put in place, he should not be seeking medical attention abroad. If you spent that amount on the clinic, then the President had no excuse to go abroad.”

Former Special Adviser to ex-President Shehu Shagari Alhaji Tanko Yakasai, advised the President to do more to improve the country’s medical sector saying, 

‘’If President Buhari ensures the availability of precise drugs and equipment, as well as specialised doctors to carry out the right diagnosis, Nigerians will have no business travelling abroad for medical treatment.’’

Also, former Chairman, Nigeria Medical Association, Akwa Ibom, Dr. John Udoabang, said it was wrong for the President to be asking Nigerians not to rely on foreign services while he was doing another thing.

“The President going abroad for rest or medical checkup is completely unnecessary after spending so much on the Aso Villa clinic.