It is well known that African Heads of State do not consider it necessary to let their compatriots know about their real health conditions. Why is this so? To get a safe answer, we have two instances. First, let us take up Nigeria. President Muhammadu Buhari, who has announced his bid for a second four-year term, spent more than five months in the United Kingdom last year for the treatment of an undisclosed illness.
The matter has not ended. President Buhari saw his doctor last week on a stopover in London while returning to Nigeria from a meeting with his US counterpart, Donald Trump, in Washington, according to a statement from his office.
The statement said the President’s doctor requested him to return for medical check-up, which he agreed to do. So, 75-year old General Buhari has zoomed off again to the UK to meet his doctors, raising questions about his health as he seeks re-election in February, 2019. He is expected back in the country tomorrow, May 12.
Now, let us consider the case of Benin Republic. In June 2017, President Patrice Talon of the Republic of Benin surprised many of his countrymen with his decision to provide details about a prostate condition that caused him to undergo two surgeries. He spent one month away from the country while receiving treatment in a hospital in Paris.
Well, President Talon’s action was hailed as a rare example of an African leader publicly revealing the details of his health, with a statement from his office saying the 59-year-old Talon believed it was important to inform his fellow countrymen about the state of his health. But how many African Heads of State can toe President Talon’s line?
