The Presidential spokespersons on Saturday night in Abuja described as ”evil rumour” the social media reports on President Muhammadu Buhari’s health conditions. The social media space has been abuzz with news of the demise of the President.
It is not clear the origin of such rumour but this is not the first time that Nigerians wish their leaders death and go ahead to propagate the news on the internet. President Olusegun Obasanjo was rumoured dead during his tenure to which he personally responded with the now memorable line “I dey kamkpe”. Two other former leaders, General Sani Abacha and Umaru Yar’Adua, died in office despite initial efforts to hide their demise.
In their separate posts, published on their Twitter handles, Mr Femi Adesina, the Special Adviser on Media and Publicity to the President and Malam Garba Shehu, the Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity to the President, dismissed the reports as false and clear case of mischief.
Adesina said: “Best wishes to all who wish PMB well. As for those who carry evil rumours, may they receive grace to repent.’’
Shehu also dismissed the rumour that President Buhari was dead as being speculated by mischief makers. He described as false and untrue the report that the President was flown to Germany.
He said: “He is alive and well! President Buhari is not magical. He cannot be holidaying in the UK and be in Germany, dead or alive at the same time”. In another tweet, Shehu said: “He is unlike a past President who was at Ota, with Chief Obasanjo and attending the Trump inauguration in D.C, being in two places at the same time!’’
President Muhammadu Buhari left Abuja for the United Kingdom on Thursday on a short leave, which is part of his annual vacation.
Adesina told journalists on Thursday when the President was departing: “During the vacation, the President will also undergo routine medical check-ups.
“He is expected to resume work on Feb. 6, 2017.”
He said that in line with Section 145 (1) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), the President of the Senate, and Speaker, House of Representatives, had been duly communicated. “While away, the Vice President, Prof Yemi Osinbajo, will perform the functions of the Office of the President”, Adesina explained.
A psychologist, Richard Okolie-Nweze, attributed such news to two reasons: mischief and disenchantment. He said the propagators of such lies bordering on health of their leaders are either mischievous, disenchanted with the performance of such leaders or a combination of both.
