ResignOrReturn Protest: ‘President Buhari Is Like A Private Citizen’, Media Aide Says

The Special Assistant to the President on social media, Lauretta Onochie has now reacted to the agitations of a group led by Charly Boy, demanding the quick return of President Muhammadu Buhari or resignation

Yesterday, the organization, Concerned Nigeria led by the renowned singer, Charly Boy took to the street of Abuja to demand the resignation of the ailing President who has been in London for over 90 days or tender his resignation.

In reaction to this, Mrs. Onochie likened the president as a private citizen of the country and it is therefore disrespectful to clamor of his health details since there is an Acting President – in person of Yemi Osinbajo occupying the position in his absence.

Speaking at the Channels TV last evening, she said:

“For the life of me, I have no idea why anybody would disrespect another by asking for the details of their health status. As we speak, we have an acting president,” Onochie said on Monday while speaking on Channels Television‘s Politics Today.

She continued: “As we speak, President Buhari seems to be like a private citizen at the moment. We have no right and it is very disrespectful for anyone to ask for his health status. In the UK where I came from nobody would release anybody’s health record to another, not even the members of their family unless the person decides to approve.

“On the social media, the president is well loved by Nigerians. I come across a lot of Nigerians who wish him well.”

She further said the onus is on the president to intimate Nigerians on his health status, insisting that it is inappropriate to seek to compel him to do so.

“The prerogative to speak on his ailment lies only on President Buhari. If he chooses, it is a choice. It is very disrespectful and very intrusive. We are intruding into his private rights. He has rights too as a citizen of Nigeria. Anybody can get ill, it is not something planned,” Onochie said.

“The president is receiving medical care in the UK, Nigerians are praying for him. They want him to get well. Governance is going well, the economy is improving. We are nearly out of recession”, she ended.