Buhari Returns, Says He Is Okay

President Muhammadu Buhari (left); Minister of Interior, Abdulrahman Bello Danbazau (right); Minister of Agriculture, Audu Ogbe; Minister of Budget and Planning, Udo Udo-Udoma and others during the arrival of the President at Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja after a 13-day medical trip to the United Kingdom… yesterday. Photo: Philip Ojisua

‘Come wrestle with me if you want’

President Muhammadu Buhari yesterday returned to the country after 13 days of medical vacation in the United Kingdom.

The Guardian Nigeria report continues:

The president, who was expected back in the country on Wednesday last week, extended his stay by three days.

The president arrived in the country at exactly 5:33 p.m. on a Presidential Aircraft NAF 001 with a registration number 5N FGT and was received at the Presidential Wing of the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja by ministers and other state functionaries.

Buhari, who was clad in a light brown kaftan with a cap to match, inspected a guard of honour mounted for him by the Guards Brigade of the Nigerian Army.

He was accompanied by his security aides as well as members of his immediate family led by his uncle, Malam Mamman Daura, and his two children.

Speaking to State House correspondents after, the president said he was now well.

“You have seen me, you saw me when I was going, you can do the assessment by yourself.

“You can see me inspecting the guard of honour, if you want to wrestle me, you can do so, but you know I’m taller than you.”

President Muhammadu Buhari arrive Nnamdi Azikiwe International airport Abuja yesterday, after a 12 day Medical Trip to the United Kingdom yesterday Photo: Philip Ojisua

Also speaking, the Special Adviser to the President on Media, Femi Adesina confirmed that the president would fully resume duty today. He restated his position that the president did not go on medical vacation but merely followed the counsel of his medical specialists to seek further advice.

He, however, thanked Nigerians who have shown concern for the well- being of the president and appealed to them to have a positive mind, as they didn’t need a worst-case- scenario about anybody’s misfortune, not least the president of the country.

The governors present included those of Kogi and Zamfara states, Yahaya Bello and Abdulaziz Yari Abubakar who were at the airport to receive the president.

Also at the airport to welcome the president were the chairman of the ruling All Progressives Congress, (APC) , Chief John Odigie-Oyegun, Ministers, Chief of Staff (CoS) to the President, Abba Kyari, the Acting Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes commission, (EFCC) Ibrahim Magu and National Security Adviser (NSA), Gen. Mohammed Babagana Monguno.

The Service Chiefs present were Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Gabriel Olonishakin, Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Tukur Yusuf Buratai, Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Ekwe Ibas, Chief of Air Staff, Marshal Saddique Abubakar and the Inspector General of Police, Solomon Arase.