‘Buhari’s medical trip a mockery of ‘change begins with me’ campaign’

Nigerian President Mohammadu Buhari (C) shakes hands with state officials upon his arrival at the Nigerian Airforce base in Kaduna, on March 10, 2017. PHOTO: STRINGER / AFP

The plan by President Muhummadu Buhari to return to his London doctors for further treatment is an act of corruption and a mockery of the ‘Change begins with me’ campaign of his government.
The Anglican Bishop of Enugu Diocese, Rev. Emmanuel Chukwuma, at the 10th anniversary celebration of the Church of Nigeria, Anglican Communion, Ngbo Diocese, Ezzamgbo, at the weekend, said he was not in support of the planned medical trip, especially as the country was in a period of economic recession.
According to him, “If we are saying that we are in economic recession, then going abroad for medical treatment by the president is corruption. The ‘Change begins with me’ campaign should begin with the president because I see no reason why we should allow our hospitals to be in very dilapidated conditions and then we travel abroad.”

Bishop Chukwuma who suggested that the equipments used in medical treatments abroad should rather be brought to Nigeria, said the president should not only have confidence in the medical facilities in Nigeria but should also use the provisions of the 2017 budget for revamping the health sector, maintaining that it will be enough to fund it. He said anything to the contrary was a serious negativity against the ‘Change begins with me’ campaign.
On the order by the Indigenous People Of Biafra (IPOB), that people should stay at home on May 30th to mark Biafra day, the bishop said he was not in support as he cautioned that people should not deploy violence.
“Biafra is not for violence or confrontation. Rather, it’s for agitation. We are agitating for equal rights and justice. People should not misuse IPOB for secession. We are not seceding. Nigeria belongs to all of us. Everybody should know that what we are looking for is equal right.
“The Southeast is being neglected in many areas. Even the recent appointment of boards members, how many Southeast people are there?” He reiterated that Igbos are being marginalized in many areas.
The church had used the occasion to honour some outstanding personalities among who were former Vice President, Dr. Alex Ekwueme, a serving senator representing Ebonyi North, Obinna Ogba, the traditional ruler of Ngbo, Eze Simon Ali Ega among others who urged the church to continue to maintain peace and unity with host communities.