Saraki, Melaye spotted with Atiku in Europe amid speculations of medical trip

Former Senate President Bukola Saraki and Senator Dino Melaye have been spotted in pictures of the presidential candidate of the Democratic Party, Atiku Abubakar, currently in Europe.

Atiku, former vice president, flew out of the country in the middle of the campaign for the 2023 elections amid speculations that he collapsed during a rally in the North.

Atiku’s team was forced to release some pictures. Hon Ndudi Elumelu, Minority Leader of the House of Representatives, and Timi Frank, an associate of the presidential candidate were also seen with him, Daily Trust reports.

The PDP has reacted to speculations regarding the whereabouts of the party’s presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar.

A statement issued by Paul Ibe, Media Adviser to Atiku on Tuesday night, said the “former Vice President travelled last night on a scheduled trip to meet with the technical partners of one his business entity that was impacted by the Covid-19 global lockdown and the consequent economic downturn.”

“The meeting will also focus on conclusive discussions for a planned expansion of its production facility,” the statement added.

There have been speculations from some quarters including from members of the opposition that Atiku had travelled to France for medical treatment.

For instance, the Director of New Media of the All Progressives Congress Presidential Campaign Council, Femi Fani-Kayode, earlier in a series of tweets, said Atiku slumped in Abuja after arriving from Kaduna where he held his campaign on Monday.

He added that as a result, the PDP presidential candidate had been taken to Paris, France for proper medical attention.

“After his outing in Kaduna yesterday @atiku fell ill. He complained of dizzy spells& severe pains in his head& all over his body throughout the flight to Abuja. After landing at Abuja airport he collapsed. He was flown to Paris for medical attention immediately. God be with him.

“For the purposes of damage control they took pictures of him with others the following morning from Paris but please do not be fooled. There is something very wrong with the PDP pres. candidate in terms of his health & they don’t want the Nigerian public to know. Pray for him,” he tweeted.