- They have threatened legal action if the state of the president's health is not revealed
- The group made their request known in a letter addressed to Abubakar Malami
Malami Abubakar
In a letter to the Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, the SNG on Tuesday, February 7 issued a 74-hour ultimatum to the the presidency to provide full information on the health situation of President Muhammadu Buhari.
The letter entitled “Request for information on President Muhammadu Buhari’s health status” asked that full information on the president's health be released to douse tension in the country.
According to Vanguard, the group warned that it will take necessary legal action if teh presidency ignores the request.
Barrister Benedict Ezeagu, the National Coordinator, SNG, signed the letter, which reads in part: “This ugly development, including denial, conditional admission and restriction of access to President Buhari and the true information on his health status is reminiscence of the late President Yar’Adua’s incident which our revered organisation was at the forefront of its peaceful resolution and this is not good for Nigeria at this critical period of economic downturn , nationwide insecurity, and political strife.
“As you may know, the lack of clearness in handling the ‘vacation’ turned ‘medical trip’ of Mr. President has heightened the rumours and speculations about his health, the most frightening of which is that President Muhammadu Buhari had passed on or he has been in coma or on life-supporting machine, and thus increasing the political tension in the country.
“Since Mr. President is not a private citizen but a public servant whose health bills are currently being paid from the country’s treasury, Nigerians deserves the right to know the true state of his health as obtainable in enlightened republics.
“In the light of the foregoing Sir, while we join other Nigerians to pray for Mr. President in line with the request of the Presidency, we herby demand for full information on the health status of President Muhammadu Buhari in exercise of the rights granted us by section 39 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as amended, the freedom of information Act and Article 9 of African charter on Human and people’s rights, as this will help dispel these rumours and speculations and reduce the current political tension in the country.
“Please sir, take notice that if we are not availed of the requested information within 74 hours of your receipt of this letter, we will have no alternative than to take all other necessary legitimate and legal steps, including approaching the National Assembly to activate relevant sections of the Constitution with regard to the health of a Nigerian president as well as institute court actions and organise peaceful protests among others, to ensure that we are availed of these rights guaranteed Nigerians by the laws."
Meanwhile, as the entire country awaits the return of President Muhammadu Buhari with bated breath.
Organizers of the 28th edition of the Enugu International Trade Fair have said President Buhari and the minister of science and technology, Dr Ogbonnaya Onu, will be special guests at the fair beginning on March 31, 2017.
Source: Vang.
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