Femi Adesina has revealed that late President Muhammadu Buhari might have died earlier if treated in Nigerian hospitals.
Speaking on a Channels TV programme, Adesina said Buhari Nigerian hospitals criticism misses the point about survival first.
He stressed that Buhari had always sought medical care in London, even before he became Nigeria’s president in 2015.
According to Adesina, Buhari would not have lived this long had he depended solely on the Nigerian health system.
“If he had done his medicals in Nigeria just for optics, he might have died long ago,” Adesina stated.
The former presidential aide said Buhari Nigerian hospitals discussion ignores the country’s lack of specialist expertise for complicated health issues.
Buhari died on Sunday in a London clinic after battling an undisclosed illness, aged 82, surrounded by close aides.
His body was flown to Nigeria on Tuesday and buried in his hometown, Daura, in Katsina State, amid national mourning.
President Bola Tinubu and several dignitaries were in attendance, paying final respects to the late former Nigerian leader.
The Federal Government declared a public holiday and ordered all national flags flown at half-mast for seven days.
Adesina said Buhari’s medical trips were based on necessity, not luxury, as he had long established doctors in London.
He maintained that being alive was necessary to fix things, including improving the quality of healthcare for all Nigerians.
“If he were dead, there wouldn’t be any opportunity to lead or build capacity,” Adesina added firmly.
He noted that critics should consider the full context before condemning Buhari’s decision to avoid Buhari Nigerian hospitals treatment.
Adesina emphasized that political optics should not override the need for quality healthcare, especially for complex medical conditions.
