NLC denies probing Buhari’s health status

The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has denied calling on President Muhammadu Buhari to address the nation on his health status.Some reports credited NLC with a statement calling on Buhari to explain his health status in the wake of the rumoured death of the president, who is currently on a short holiday in London.Mr. Ayuba Wabba, NLC President, said on Friday in Abuja: “We would want to state emphatically and unequivocally that we did not at any time make such a statement.’’“ The reasons for this are quite obvious. As an organisation, we do not work on rumours. Secondly, we are aware that Mr President is on leave and that before he proceeded on leave, he handed over to Mr Vice President.“We also recognise the fact presidential powers and immunity do not cover health. Thus, like any other human being, Mr President could take ill once in a while.“But most importantly, issues of life and death of any citizen, let alone that of the number one citizen are too sacred to be trivialised.“We therefore distance ourselves from the rumour mills on the health status of Mr President,’’ Wabba said.The NLC, he said, wishes Mr President the very best in his holiday in the UK or wherever else he chooses to be.The NLC president advised the media to resist the temptation to misrepresent or sensationalise in order to sell.“As we look forward to welcoming him back to the country whenever he resumes, we also urge the citizenry not to allow themselves to be put on a panic mode by virtue of unsubstantiated stories in the media.“President Buhari met all the conditions precedent regarding his absence from office before proceeding on leave to which he is entitled,’’ he emphasised.