Tinubu Dispatches Shettima toook Up Ailing Buhari in London Hospital
Vice President Kashim Shettima recently paid a discreet visit to former President Muhammadu Buhari at a London hospital, acting on the instruction of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, sources close to the presidency have revealed.
The visit, which was not officially announced, took place earlier this week and followed Shettima’s appearance at the Green Legacy Initiative in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
According to reports, Shettima departed Ethiopia late Sunday and arrived in London the next day, where he met with the former president who is currently undergoing medical treatment.
The trip is said to have been initiated by President Tinubu to check on Buhari’s health condition and convey a private message on behalf of the presidency. Although the nature of the message and discussions remains undisclosed, it is understood that the visit was part of efforts to maintain close contact with the former leader amid concerns over his health.
When contacted, Stanley Nkwocha, the Senior Special Assistant to the Vice President on Media and Communications, confirmed Shettima’s presence in London but said he could not comment on the purpose of the trip, adding that he was unaware of any scheduled visit to the former president.
Former President Buhari has reportedly been receiving medical care in a London hospital after suffering a health setback during a routine check-up. Initial reports claimed he had been placed in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU), sparking widespread speculation about the seriousness of his condition.
However, subsequent updates indicated that he had been discharged from the ICU and is now recuperating.
A former presidential spokesperson, Garba Shehu, acknowledged that Buhari was indeed ill but assured that he was responding well to treatment and was expected to make a full recovery. Another close aide, Bashir Ahmad, also sought to allay fears, describing earlier media reports of critical illness as exaggerated and misleading. He noted that the former president was stable and surrounded by close family members.
The development has again stirred conversations around the long-standing practice of top Nigerian political leaders traveling abroad for medical attention. Buhari’s frequent medical trips to the United Kingdom during his time in office were often criticized for their secrecy and the failure to strengthen the local healthcare system. His latest hospitalization has revived similar debates, particularly about the transparency of public officials regarding their health status and the ethics of using state resources for unofficial or personal visits.
Some civil society advocates have also questioned the necessity of high-level visits to an ailing former leader abroad, arguing that such actions serve more political than compassionate purposes. Others see it as a gesture of loyalty and continuity between past and present leadership.
As President Tinubu continues to consolidate political stability and navigate governance challenges at home, the visit to Buhari—though discreet—may reflect an effort to maintain goodwill with the former president and his loyalists. For now, no official statement has been issued by the presidency concerning the visit or Buhari’s medical condition, further fueling public speculation.
Observers say the incident underscores the delicate balance in Nigeria’s political landscape, where relationships among former and current leaders often shape both perception and policy. While Buhari remains out of public view, the presidency’s silent diplomacy continues behind closed doors.
