‘Publicising Buhari’s medical expenses endangers national security’

• FEC sets up panel to resolve executive, legislative disagreements

The Federal Government has said it will endanger national security to make public government spending on President Muhammadu Buhari’s health. President Buhari returned to the country on March 10 after spending 49 days in London for medical treatment. The President had also traveled to London on 5th June last year for alleged treatment of ear infection.

Although the president’s health status is yet to be disclosed, Buhari explained in an address to the nation that he had blood transfusion and series of medical tests during the London trip.

The Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed, after the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting in Abuja yesterday wondered why the concern about the spending, especially when the issue is placed side by side with national security and morality.

“I don’t know why we must divulge such a very sensitive information. This matter has come several times and our position on the matter is quite straightforward.

“What are the President’s conditions of service? What are his entitlements in terms of his well-being and health care? The state is supposed to take responsibility for these. We believe that asking for how much has been spent on the health of the President is an issue that we should weigh very well both for national security and also for moral issues,” Mohammed said.

The FEC also constituted a reconciliatory committee to resolve all the outstanding issues between the executive and the National Assembly, especially the Senate.

Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo will head the committee, whose members include all ministers, who were former National Assembly members, the president’s National Assembly liaison officers and cabinet members, who have relationship with the lawmakers.