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Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari Addresses the Nation After Return From Medical Leave, Calls For Unity Amidst Ethnic Tensions

  • [아시아뉴스통신] Timothy Montales 기자
  • 송고시간 2019-01-11 15:42
  • 뉴스홈 > 국제
Photo by: U.S. Department of State via Wikimedia Commons

Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari has addressed the nation for the first time in three months after his medical leave in the UK.


During his televised speech, Buhari, 74, said he was "distressed" by calls for the dissolution of Nigeria, urging Nigerians to unite as one. But still, Buhari did not reveal his real health condition. His recent medical leave was the second one for this year alone.


Many Nigerians called for his resignation during his medical leave, saying he is no longer fit to discharge his functions as the nation’s leader. During his absence, Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo has been assuming his duties and responsibilities in office.


Two days following his official return to office, Buhari said that the calls for Nigeria’s dissolution have "crossed national red lines.”


"Nigeria's unity is settled and not negotiable. We shall not allow irresponsible elements to start trouble," he said during his speech. The president also mentioned the prevalent ethnic violence in the country, blaming "political mischief-makers.”


Ethnic violence has proliferated during the president’s absence, with some insurgent groups calling for the creation of a separate state in the south-east known as Biafra. Other Islamist militant groups have continued to wage war in other parts of the north.


Nigerians were eager to find out the real health condition of the president. However, it is apparent that Buhari intends to keep this from being disclosed to the public.


The administration might have a hard time in convincing the public to believe that the president is “hale and hearty,” as he was visibly thin and frail during his return with several other politicians during the weekend.


On Monday, the president was eager to show that he is ready to perform his duties again. However, his first official address to the nation after his return still failed to answer the question on many people's minds - does the ailing 74-year old president still have the energy to lead?