The Presidency on Sunday frowned at media speculations that President Goodluck Jonathan was flown to Germany last week on medical grounds.
Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Dr. Reuben Abati, while debunking the rumour reiterated that the President traveled to Germany on a “private visit.”
Recall that the presidency had last week issued a terse statement, indicating that Jonathan, alongside few aides, were travelling to Germany on a private visit and should be expected back today (Monday).
However, media reports had it that the President had been taken to a German hospital after he fell for an undisclosed ailment.
According to the reports, an earlier planned dinner for members of the just-concluded 2014 National Conference on Thursday had to be cancelled because of the sudden illness of the President.
But Abati while reacting to the report said it was “the figment of the writers’ imagination.”
Speaking to Punch, “Before leaving Nigeria, I issued a statement that the President will be embarking on a private visit to Germany with a few of his aides.
“On Saturday, I sent out a statement that the President spoke with the Falconets on the telephone. I also sent out the video and audio of his conversation with the players where he promised to stay awake and watch the final match.
“The NTA and some other broadcasting stations aired the video and audio.
“There are also photographs out there showing the President when he was leaving Nigeria and when he was arriving Germany.
“The President is hale and hearty. In fact, he is treating files in his hotel room.
“Are these not enough proofs that Mr. President is not sick as they want Nigerians to believe?
“It is important to note that the publisher of the newspaper that has been writing this false report is a chieftain of an opposition party who also have an ambition to be President.” Abati said.
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