APC objects to Obi urging Tinubu to stop wasting resources, says economy improving in all sectors
Peter Obi of the Labour Party (LP) has urged President Bola Tinubu to set an example by utilising Nigeria’s healthcare facilities for his medical needs instead of wasting resources through foreign medical tourism.
Obi said such a move would encourage Nigerians to trust national health institutions and help tackle the wastage of hard currency that comes with obtaining healthcare abroad.
But the All Progressives Congress (APC) has countered that Obi should not incite Nigerians against Tinubu, particularly with his claim that the President has failed to address the worsening economic and security challenges in his first 18 months in charge.
Obi counselled Tinubu at a press conference in Abuja on Thursday to consider using facilities like the National Hospital in Abuja or any of the Federal Medical Centres across the country.
Besides, when Muhammadu Buhari was about leaving office in May 2023, he commissioned a N19 billion presidential medical centre in Aso Rock touted as equipped with state-of-the-art facilities intended to stop any President from travelling abroad for medical treatment.
“It is time for you to visit our national hospitals. For instance, consider conducting your next medical examination at one of our National Hospitals or regional FMCs in Sokoto, Birnin Kebbi, Calabar, Umuahia, or Akure, among others,” Obi said, referring to Tinubu who often travels to France for what Nigerians see as medical check ups.
“This will allow you to assess the state of healthcare facilities available to Nigerians. It will also help you understand the condition of our hospitals and clinics, enabling you to make informed decisions on how to upgrade and make them more efficient.”
The PUNCH calculates that in the past 18 months of his administration, Tinubu and Vice President Kashim Shettima have undertaken 42 trips across 27 countries, spending over 180 days abroad.
Tinubu alone has spent 124 days overseas, visiting 16 countries on 29 trips, prompting speculation that some of these trips, particularly to France, were for medical reasons.
However, APC National Publicity Secretary Felix Morka issued a statement in which he accused Obi of hypocrisy, saying his New Year message is “misleading and appears intended to score cheap political points.”
Morka said the claim portrays Obi as a leading “doomsayer” at a time when all indicators show the country is rebounding in significant measure across all sectors.
“In reality, 18 months later, the economy under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration has shown a steady record of progress,” Morka claimed.
– The PUNCH.
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