A coalition of civil society leaders has expressed support for the decision of President Muhammadu Buhari to proceed on an urgent medical leave.

The group in a statement on Tuesday said Buhari’s decision to go for further medical examination was long overdue. “The stress on the President was ominous. We can see it on his face and discharge of his office responsibilities. The position of the President of Nigeria is a tasking venture and the President needed to submit himself to medical care so as to prepare for the greater challenges ahead,” the coalition said.

The group which had earlier called on the President to proceed on medical leave said the decision of the President to heed the coalition’s call was a “big relief” for both himself and the country. The group stated: “We want to see a country where the health of a leader will not be an impediment to the growth and development of the country. Nigeria needs institutions that are stronger than individuals. Health challenges of the President were quite unfortunate but the reality is that Nigeria did not prepare for this sudden development. The best we can do is to urge the President to take care of himself first before he can take care of the country.”

The group therefore urged the three tiers of government to work together to ensure the smooth running of governance especially the huge task of bringing corruption on its knees. The coalition stated: “Human life is far more important than political power. We wish to see the President fully recovered soon.”

However, the group called on the Federal Government to take advantage of of President Buhari’s ailment to address the crisis of medical tourism to foreign countries including the United Kingdom and India by top public officers and rich private people. This can only be addressed by fixing the collapsed medical facilities in the country.

The statement was signed by Femi Falana SAN, Professor Jibrin Ibrahim, Debo Adeniran, Dr. Chris Kwaja, Y. Z. Ya’u, Chom Bagu, Olanrewaju Suraju, Ezenwa Nwagwu, Anwal Musa Rafsanjani, David Ugolor, ’Sina Odugbemi, Muhammed Attah, Adetokunbo Mumuni, Wale Adeoye.

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