Sale Mamman, former minister of power, has explained why he was away from his home after he was relieved of his duties on Wednesday.
President Muhammadu Buhari sacked Mamman and minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Mohammad Nanono in a minor cabinet reshuffle on September 1.
There have been reports that Mamman landed in hospital after he received the news of his sack.
However, in a telephone interview with BBC Hausa, the ex-minister disclosed that he had been ill.
He also said he stayed away from his house because people have been coming to sympathise with him over his sack.
“Even before the sack was announced, I have been seriously ill. I had not even gone to the office since earlier in the week”, he said.
“So, yesterday (Wednesday) and today (Thursday) I also went back to the hospital for another round of check-up; and the doctor instructed that I needed some ‘rest’ so I remained at one place to rest,” he said.
“I found a serene and quiet environment to rest and take medication as recommended by the doctor. I didn’t stay at home because sympathisers are trooping to console me; this would prevent me from resting and convalescing on time.
“But I was also not hospitalised, and I didn’t faint as reported”.
Mamman further revealed that on Monday night, Buhari phoned him to inform him of the impending sack.
He said the President thanked him for his support to his administration.
“Whether I am fired or not, I must step down in two years away,” he added.
Mamman, who hails from Taraba State, was appointed as minister of power on August 21, 2019.
