In a bid to dowse tension generated by uncertainty and speculations over the true status of President Muhammadu Buhari’s health, the Presidency on Sunday released photo showing that the ailing president, who has been away on medical vacation in London since May 7, met with the leadership of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and some governors elected on the party’s platform.
A statement by Buhari’s media adviser, Femi Adesina, gave the names of those who met with his boss to include Governors Rochas Okorocha of Imo, Umaru Tanko Al-Makura of Nasarawa, Nasir El-Rufai of Kaduna, Yahaya Bello of Kogi, and the APC National Chairman, John Oyegun. Transport Minister, Rotimi Amaechi was also present.
Mr. Adesina said Governor Okorocha told him in a telephone conversation that Buhari was as usual cheerful and humorous during the meeting held at Nigeria House in London, saying the party delegation spent more than an hour with Mr. President over lunch. According to Adesina, the Imo Governor said it was very clear from the discussions that he followed closely developments at home.
Mr. Adesina said in the statement, “In a telephone conversation following the meeting of All Progressives Congress (APC) governors and leaders with President Muhammadu Buhari in London Sunday, Governor Rochas Okorocha of Imo State, said the President was very cheerful and has not lost any bit of his sense of humour.
“The governor said the party delegation spent more than an hour with President Buhari over lunch, and it was very clear from the discussions that he followed developments at home very closely.
“He said the President was delighted to receive the delegation and asked each governor about affairs in his state. He also asked the Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, about the state of the railways.
“When asked to react to all the negative things being said about him, the President just laughed, describing such negative reports as lies. Governor Okorocha said President Buhari was completely unperturbed by the cocktail of lies. He, instead, sent his best wishes to Nigerians.
Okorocha added, “Nigerians don’t have to worry at all. President Buhari will be back as soon as the doctors give him the green light.”
He said President Buhari was completely unperturbed by the cocktail of lies. He, instead, sent his best wishes to Nigerians.
“By our visit to London today, the merchants of lies have been put out of business and Nigerians will not buy the garbage they have been selling.
“All those who look up to fake news can find better use for their time,” Adesina quoted Okorocha as saying.
Buhari’s long absence from the country on medical grounds has overheated the polity, with many Nigerians calling for his resignation. Presently there are two separate suits at the high court by rights groups, seeking to compel the National Assembly to declare the president medical unfit to continue in office.
It is left to be seen how far this move by the presidency will go in calming the tension in the country, generated by Buhari’s long absence from duty. Most Nigerians don’t want to see a photo of a healthy Buhari. They want him back, if he is truly healthy, as claimed, to resume his duties for which he was elected.
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