Human rights activist and African Action Congress presidential candidate, Omoyele Sowore, has criticised the appearance of former Head of State, General Abdulsalami Abubakar, in promotional material for an Indian hospital.
A video showing Abubakar receiving treatment at Krishna Shalby Hospital in Ahmedabad, India, has circulated online, with the facility highlighting his knee replacement procedure as part of its promotion of specialised medical care.
Reacting to the development, Sowore questioned why Nigerian leaders who had opportunities to influence the country’s healthcare system would seek specialised treatment abroad.
In a post on X, the AAC presidential candidate described the development as a reflection of what he characterised as decades of neglect of Nigeria’s healthcare sector.
Sowore argued that political leaders should have prioritised building world-class medical facilities in Nigeria rather than relying on foreign hospitals for specialised treatment.
He also referenced President Bola Tinubu, suggesting that a hospital in France could similarly feature the Nigerian President in promotional material in the future.
The former Head of State’s treatment has also reignited wider debate about medical tourism and the state of Nigeria’s healthcare infrastructure. The Indian hospital has publicly highlighted Abubakar’s treatment and his recovery following the knee replacement procedure.
However, reactions have not been uniform. Some commentators have questioned whether Abubakar, whose tenure as military Head of State lasted less than a year before the 1999 transition to civilian rule, should personally bear responsibility for the broader state of Nigeria’s healthcare system.
The controversy comes amid renewed discussions about the cost of medical tourism to Nigeria and the need to strengthen specialised healthcare services within the country.
