President Bola Tinubu earlier this week directed Vice President Kashim Shettima to travel from Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, to London to visit former President Muhammadu Buhari, who is reportedly undergoing medical treatment in a London hospital.
Shettima was in Addis Ababa at the invitation of Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed Ali to attend the launch of Ethiopia’s Green Legacy Initiative (GLI), where he also explored the country’s agricultural achievements. However, upon receiving news of Buhari’s health condition, President Tinubu, who was preparing for a trip to St. Lucia, instructed Shettima to divert to London to personally assess the situation and report back.
Reports recently surfaced that the 81-year-old former president had been hospitalized, sparking concerns that he was in critical condition. However, his former aide on digital communications, Bashir Ahmad, dispelled those fears, confirming that while Buhari was indeed unwell, his condition was stable and improving.
“It is true that former President Buhari is unwell and is currently receiving medical attention. However, contrary to exaggerated media reports, he is stable and responding well to treatment,” Ahmad wrote on X. “We appreciate the outpouring of prayers and goodwill from supporters and well-wishers and remain optimistic about his full recovery.”
According to a reliable source, Shettima arrived in London early Monday and spent several hours with Buhari, delivering Tinubu’s message of concern and facilitating a phone conversation between both leaders. The source also revealed that the Vice President visited former Head of State, General Abdulsalami Abubakar, who was also recuperating in London at the time.
“The Vice President arrived London early Monday after flying out on Sunday night,” the source said. “He spent time with Buhari, delivered the President’s message, and even connected them on a call. He also visited General Abdulsalami Abubakar.”
Although the visit was not publicly disclosed, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Communications (Office of the Vice President), Stanley Nkwocha, confirmed Shettima was in London but maintained it was a private trip. He declined to confirm any meetings with Buhari or Abdulsalami.
“Yes, the Vice President was in London but on a purely private visit. I am not aware of any such visits, and since it was private, I was not privy to his itinerary,” Nkwocha said. “His engagements or lack thereof remain in the realm of speculation.”
Buhari’s health has long been a subject of national interest. During his presidency, he made multiple medical trips abroad, including a notable 104-day stay in London in 2017.
