The Minister of Labour and Employment, Dr Chris Ngige, has said that President Muhammadu Buhari has better health than 80 per cent of Nigerians.
He added that a combination of the president’s age, health and experience stands him in good stead to lead the country until 2023.
The former Anambra state governor made this known in the state capital, Awka in a chat with newsmen on Monday.
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While downplaying concerns over the president’s age, he said that Malaysians elected Dr Mahathir bin Mohamad, a 93-year-old politician, to pilot the nation’s affairs as prime minister and rescue it from political and economic doldrums.
When reporters pressed him further on Buhari’s fatigued look due to apparent age and illness, Ngige said, “That man (Buhari ) you see there is healthier than 80 per cent of Nigerians.
“ I’ m a medical doctor ; I can tell you authoritatively that he is healthier than most people who see his health as an issue.
“ He sits for over eight hours during our executive meetings . While some of us would be going for tea break to stretch our legs, Mr President would sit on his seat continuously, drinking only water.
“ I can tell you authoritatively as a medical doctor of over three decades standing that Mr President is physically and mentally healthy. He is healthier than 80 per cent of Nigerians.”
Meanwhile, the minister also challenged Ndigbo to overcome their grievances due to primordial sentiments in order to improve their political fortunes.
He condemned the constant cries by Igbos of marginalisation from Buhari’s government, insisting that the present administration has equitably distributed resources and projects.
He said, “ There’ s nothing that is being shared by the Buhari government that is not equitably done. Buhari has five flagship projects ; Lagos – Ibadan to Ilorin Mambila Power Plants; Abuja – Kaduna – Kano Highway ; Second Niger Bridge and East West roads .
“ You can see how it was shared . So , how are you (Igbo ) left out, why are you crying marginalisation , why are you crying wolf when there is none and it is this mentality that I’ m telling you people that you have to come out from .
“ So , all I’ m saying in effect is that you (Igbo ) must do political engineering ; that ’ s the Igbo of the South – East and the step to take forward is to support a Buhari presidency for 2019 /2023 and vote for it with all their strengths . By so doing , they will not be left out in the power- sharing that will come thereafter like was done at this period . ”
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