Femi Adesina, the Special Adviser to the President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd) on Media and Publicity, on Tuesday on Tuesday gave an insight into why his principal prefers frequenting the United Kingdom for medicals.

WuuzupNigeria reported that Buhari left the country for the UK on Monday to participate in the Global Education Summit on Financing Global Partnership for Education (GPE) 2021-2025 before spending a few days undergoing a previously scheduled medical check-up.

The president’s latest medical tour to the United Kingdom has attracted condemnation from the opposition Peoples Democratic Party who alleged that Buhari’s “administration has crippled our health sector.”

“It is disheartening that while Mr. President is spending taxpayers’ money relishing the expertise of London doctors and the luxury of medical facilities in that country, millions of Nigerians are dying in decrepit medical facilities at home,” the party said.

However, in defence of Buhari, Adesina, during Tuesday’s interview on Channels Television’s Politics Today, said that his principal has used a medical team for over 40 years, hence the need to continue seeking medical help.

“President Buhari has been with the same doctors and medical team for upward of 40 years,” he said.

“It is advisable that he continues with that who knows his medical history and that is why he comes to London to see them. He has used the same medical team for over 40 years. Once you can afford it, then stay with the team that has your history.”

Asked if the President would pilot the nation’s affairs from the UK, the presidential spokesman said there is no vacuum within the seat of power but noted that if his principal doesn’t return in 21 days, the constitution empowers Vice President Yemi Osinbajo to act as President.

“The nation is running, there is a vice president who will attend to critical issues. There is no vacuum and a constitutional amendment has sorted that out,” Adesina explained.

Buhari is expected to hold a bilateral meeting with Prime Minister Johnson and  would return to the country by the second week of August

Top officials that accompanied Buhari on the trip included the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Geoffrey Onyeama, and the Minister of State for Education, Chukwuemeka Nwajiuba.

Others are the National Security Adviser, Major General Babagana Monguno (rtd), and the Director-General of National Intelligence Agency (NIA), Ambassador Ahmed Rufai.