The Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Mr. Babachir Lawal, on Wednesday, confirmed that President Muhammadu Buhari and three of his ministers were currently sick.
Lawal disclosed this while saying the opening prayer at the beginning of a meeting of the Federal Executive Council presided over by Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo at the Council Chamber of the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
Buhari is currently in London on a 10-day leave during which he is scheduled to see Ear, Nose and Throat doctors in connection with what the Presidency described as his persistent ear infection.
On his arrival at the venue of the meeting, Osinbajo had asked the Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, to offer Islamic prayer while he asked Lawal to say the Christian prayer.
Mohammed simply asked God to grant the cabinet members wisdom as they made national decisions at the meeting.
When it was the SGF’s turn to offer prayer, he asked God to be with the President, who he said was on “medical vacation.”
He then proceeded to name ministers, who he said, were indisposed and asked God to heal them.
Lawal started with the Minister of Women Affairs, Mrs. Aisha Alhassan, who he said “is recuperating in US after a surgery.”
He also prayed for the Minister of Education, Adamu Adamu, who he said “is down with back pain.”
Shortly after he concluded his prayer, the SGF was reminded that he did not mention the Minister of State for Environment, Ibrahim Jibril.
Lawal quickly added Jibril’s name to his list of sick cabinet members, but did not disclose the nature of Jibril’s sickness.
Buhari had left Abuja for London on Monday after the Presidency confirmed that he had been battling with a persistent ear infection.
The Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Mr. Femi Adesina, had issued a statement saying, “President Buhari will take 10 days off and travel to London from Monday, June 6, to rest.
“During the holiday, the President will see an Ear, Nose and Throat specialist for a persistent ear infection.
“The President was examined by his Personal Physician and an E.N.T specialist in Abuja and was treated.
“Both Nigerian doctors recommended further evaluation purely as a precaution.”
