‘Trump would not have called Buhari ‘lifeless’ if Aso Rock disclosed his illness’- Phil Hazlewood

International journalist, Phil Hazlewood, has also reacted to viral report of President Donald Trumpcalling President Buhari ‘lifeless’ after their meeting in United States in April.

Phil Hazlewood who is AFP bureau chief in Nigeria, Benin, Togo & Ghana, said if Aso Rock was more forthcoming about the nature of President Buhari’s illness, there would have been more understanding. He wrote;

Trump reportedly called Buhari “lifeless”. Again, perhaps if Aso Rock was more forthcoming about the nature of his illness (and the medical prognosis) there’d be more understanding

Buhari said nothing at the Trump presser. Equally left all the talking to Macron in Abuja. Let’s see what happens when May and Merkel visit this week

Still not keen on explaining reasons for months of medical treatment abroad and who paid for it. Transparency and accountability

Recall that we reported yesterday that a publication by Financial Times on the United States  President, Donald Trump’s comment on President Muhammadu Buhari generated different reactions on Monday.

The newspaper in its recent publication stated that Trump called  Buhari, “lifeless,” after their April meeting in Washington.

Financial Times, in the publication titled, ‘Africa looks for something new out of Donald Trump’, stated, “The first meeting, with Nigeria’s ailing 75-year-old Muhammadu Buhari in April ended with the US President telling aides he never wanted to meet someone so lifeless again, according to three people familiar with the matter.”

Contrary to the publication, Trump had, at a meet-the-press held by the two leaders, commended the Buhari administration. He lauded the President’s effort in tackling corruption and insurgency. The American president had then called Nigeria one of the most beautiful places on earth, adding that he would love to visit the country someday.

However the Buhari Media Organisation, in a statement by its Chairman, Niyi Akinsiju, and the Secretary, Cassidy Maduekwe, noted that that was not the first time the US President was making derogatory remarks about other world leaders.