Nigerians share before-and-after photos of Buhari, lament frail looks

Nigerians have expressed concerns on how much the physical appearance of President Muhammadu Buhari has changed over the past few months.

While comparing the 2015 and 2017 photos of the President on social media last week, concerned citizens bemoaned the President’s frail looks.

The two photos, placed side by side and trending online, showed Buhari looking significantly leaner in one than the other.

The President also appeared pale and shaven-headed in the frail-looking picture, with his native hat slouched over his forehead.

Again, several Nigerians took to the comments section of a video posted on our source's Facebook page, in which Buhari was seen attending Juma’at prayers on Friday, to express concerns over the President’s uncharacteristic gait and fragile appearance.

Omitibayo Adetoro said, “Today, I tried to look at Muhammadu Buhari with the following questions on my mind: What if he were my father and in this condition. How would I have felt?

 “What if he were my brother, uncle, grandfather or friend? How would I have felt? What if I were the person in his condition with such excruciating pain? How would I have felt?

 “These questions made me reflect deeply and empathise with him. They made me feel sympathy for him, his family, friends and associates. Today, I looked at him and realised that before us is an elderly man, who is ill and he deserves our sympathy and prayers, no matter our political, ethnic or religious differences.”

Another Nigerian, Chimdi Ukeka Chai, said, “The father of our nation is really sick, looks frail and weak. May God heal you and restore strength to your bones and flesh. If it’s rest you need, and (if) I’m in the position to approve (some time off), I will give you more than the days you ask for, while (Vice-President Yemi) Osibanjo continues to stand in for you in acting capacity till you fully recover.”