A Nigerian state governor has fallen victim to misdiagnoses – a potentially dangerous development which claims the life of many Nigerians, the most famous victim being late fiery activist Gani Fawehinmi.

Governor Umaru Al-Makura of the north-central state of Nassarawa was diagnosed of arthritis but on travelling abroad for treatment “it was subsequently discovered that the ailment was actually not arthritis,” he told newsmen yesterday.

Addressing the media in his private residence in Lafia, the state capital, Al-Makura said the ailment that afflicted him had affected the socket on his right hip, necessitating his undergoing surgery at a hospital in Newcastle, United Kingdom, about three weeks ago. He said he is now undergoing physiotherapy that would bring about complete healing.

Yunana Iliya, chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Nassarawa State, had recently advised Al-Makura, who is of the Congress for Progressive Change (CPC), to resign over his hearing impairment or face impeachment by the state House of Assembly.

Replying Iliya yesterday, the governor said he was disappointed that such a highly placed personality would make such remarks on disability. He described Iliya’s statement as “immoral, inhuman and ungodly.”

News Express recalls that Chief Gani Fawehinmi, a foremost lawyer and pro-democracy activist, was misdiagnosed, only for him to be informed much later during a foreign medical trip, that he had cancer – which eventually killed him. It is believed that he might have been saved if the cancer had been detected early enough.

Though an oil-rich country, Nigeria lacks well-equipped hospitals and has lost some of her best medical doctors to foreign countries. Consequently, the elite now prefer to seek medical treatment abroad.

Presently, three Nigerian state governors are abroad for treatment. They are Taraba State Governor, Ibrahim Suntai, who was flown to Germany following an air crash on Oct. 25, as well as Enugu State Governor, Sullivan Chime and Cross River’s Liyel Imoke, both of whom are down with undisclosed illnesses.

In what is an exceptional case, Kogi State Governor, Idris Wada, chose to be treated in a private hospital in the Nigerian capital, Abuja, after fracturing his right hip in a Dec. 28 ghastly auto accident.

He successfully underwent surgery and has been discharged to recuperate in a private residence.

•Photo: Governor Al-Makura.

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