NEWS
Sowore Shares Video of Former Head of State, Gen. Abdulsalami Abubakar in Indian Hospital Advert, Criticises Nigeria’s Healthcare System
Human rights activist and presidential candidate of the African Action Congress (AAC) Party, Omoyele Sowore, has shared a video featuring former Nigerian Head of State, General Abdulsalami Abubakar, in what appears to be an advertisement for a hospital in India.
Sowore shared the video on X while using the development to renew his criticism of Nigeria’s healthcare system and the long-standing practice of prominent Nigerians seeking medical treatment abroad.
In his post accompanying the video, Sowore wrote:
“This is former Nigerian Head of State, General Abdulsalami Abubakar, being used in a hospital advert after undergoing knee replacement surgery in India.
“These so-called “experienced leaders” had every opportunity while in power to build first-class healthcare facilities in Nigeria. Yet, in old age, they travel abroad for the very medical care they failed to make adequately available at home and can even end up as advertisements for foreign hospitals.
“At this rate, perhaps one day a hospital in France will be using a Nigerian president, Tinubu for its adverts.
“What a tragic indictment of decades of failed leadership and neglect of Nigeria’s healthcare system.”
The video has since drawn attention online, particularly because of the prominent position General Abdulsalami Abubakar occupies in Nigeria’s political history.
Abubakar served as Nigeria’s Head of State from 1998 to 1999, overseeing the country’s transition from military rule to democratic government before handing over power to an elected civilian administration in May 1999.
Sowore’s criticism centres on the broader issue of medical tourism, arguing that Nigeria’s political leadership has failed over the years to establish a healthcare system capable of meeting the needs of citizens, including those who previously occupied the highest offices in the country.
The activist also used the development to draw a comparison with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, suggesting that foreign medical facilities could similarly use prominent Nigerian political figures in promotional materials in the future.
The post has reignited discussions around Nigeria’s healthcare infrastructure, the condition of public hospitals, government investment in the health sector and the continued reliance by wealthy Nigerians and public officials on medical facilitie
s outside the country.