The Chairman of the ruling All Progressives Congress, Adams Oshiomhole, has denied ever travelling abroad for medical treatment.
The former Edo Governor stated this in a recent interview on Channels TV ‘Hard Copy’ programme which was monitored by POLITICS NIGERIA. Oshiomhole’s claims followed a question by the journalist, asking if he had ever travelled out of Nigeria for medical treatment.
POLITICS NIGERIA reports that Nigeria’s political office holders have on several occasions travelled outside the country to obtain proper medical treatment, an act which has been condemned by rights activists and advocacy groups.
“You followed me?” Oshiomhole probed the journalist. He then answered; “Wrong,” when the question was repeated.
“Wrong,” he firmly reiterated.
However, when confronted with facts about his previous medical trips, Mr Oshiomhole said: “The situation in our health sector is not the result of strikes from our health workers. Let that be clear.”
It was also recalled that Mr Oshiomhole was one of those who defended President Muhammadu Buhari sequel to his medical trips abroad when he was critically ill. Opposition parties, as well as critics, kicked against the international travels.
Speaking further, Oshiomhole cited an instance. “When you travel. If you request for a visa to EU countries, they will ask you if you have a health insurance cover in case you fall ill. It’s not as if you’ve fixed your calendar to fall ill or otherwise.”
“The point I was making was that it was clearly unfair to talk like hypocrites while even the doctors travel abroad. As a Governor, I have and I’m sure they would be in the records of the Edo state government, Many references by Nigerian doctors from both state-owned hospital or federal government-owned hospitals, suggesting that patients be referred to some hospitals abroad,” He added.
He mentioned that some of the doctors also seek favour to travel abroad too.
“I don’t think you want to personalise this. If you make it personal, particularly in the context of politics, even those people who were making those opposition, you put it to them,” He told the Channels TV journalist.
The APC chairman, however, gave an instance of a state Governor who travelled abroad for over three months to take care of his health.
“I know Governors who stay out of the country for as much as three months. Very recently, a Governor was out of his state for three months or four months that they were even suggesting that they were going to impeach him.”
Although he did not mention a name, the only person who fits the description of Oshiomhole is Governor Darius Ishaku of Taraba state, who spent over 60 days in Abuja after a domestic accident.
Meanwhile, when he was asked if he was in support of the bill preventing public officers from travelling abroad for medical treatment, the APC Chieftain evaded the question.
This paper learnt that the bill was recently sponsored by a House of Representatives member but was rejected after several debates.
“In all fairness, it will just lead to people being dishonest,” Mr Oshiomhole stated.
