Expectations and preparations are all at feverish height with the news of President Muhammadu Buhari’s return to Abuja, Nigeria’s federal capital city later today (Saturday).
On the card are possible low-keyed reception at the Presidential Villa with the icing on the cake being Mr President’s nationwide broadcast already slated for Monday, August 21, 2017 by 7a.m Nigerian time.
Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina said in a statement that the President will jet out of London this morning for home but did not give details of his arrival time in the country.
Adesina however said in the statement that President Buhari thanked “all Nigerians who have prayed ceaselessly for his recovery and well-being since the beginning of the health challenge.”
Though there has been no official confirmation, Forefront correspondents report that the Acting President Yemi Osinbajo maybe on hand to receive Mr President at the Presidential wing of the Nnamdi Azikiwe International airport, Abuja where activities escalated in the early hours of today preparatory to his arrival.
There is also report of unusual security movement and presence within and around the Capital city as the news filtered into town in the wee hours of Saturday.
The last time President Buhari arrived Nigeria after 51 days extended medical vacation in London was in March 2017 when his plane touched down at the new Kaduna International Airport due to the renovation works then on-going at the Abuja airport that was closed for six weeks. He was thereafter ferried in a chopper to the Aso Rock Presidential Villa in Abuja.
Full text of the State House press release below:
PRESIDENT BUHARI RETURNS TODAY
President Muhammadu Buhari returns to the country later today, after receiving medical attention in London.
The President had left the country on May 7, this year, after handing over power to Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, who has functioned as Acting President since then.
President Buhari is expected to speak to Nigerians in a broadcast by 7 a.m on Monday, August 21, 2017.
He thanks all Nigerians who have prayed ceaselessly for his recovery and well-being since the beginning of the health challenge.
FEMI ADESINA
Special Adviser to the President
(Media and Publicity)
August 19, 2017
