Buhari Returns From London Trip, Insists He Is Fit To Lead Nigeria

THE Presidential Candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Maj-Gen Mohammadu Buhari returned to the country Friday after spending some days in the United Kingdom (UK).

  Buhari, who arrived the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja at about 5:40 am aboard British Airways, acknowledged that during his stay in the UK, he took time off from his busy schedule to rest.

  Clad in a black flowing gown with a cap to match, he also told reporters who kept vigil at the airport to witness his return to the country that he is hale and hearty.

  Buhari who was accompanied by his deputy campaign director-general, Senator Olurunmibe Mamora exuded confidence on his health status noting: “I just went off for a couple of days to rest. That’s all I did,” adding, “what is wrong for me to go the hospital? Am I not here now? Aren’t you seeing me? Are you seeing a sick man?” Buhari who appeared fit spoke when asked whether he was hospitalised during his stay in the UK.

  On his outing at the Chatham House, the APC presidential candidate who received a rousing reception by a horde of APC chieftains and supporters at the airport retorted: “I went to Chatham House. I read an address and there was a question and answer session. That’s all.”

  Buhari’s decision to embark on the London trip on Thursday, February 19, 2015 had triggered speculations among a section of supporters of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party, (PDP) and those of President Goodluck Jonathan who insisted that he had gone for medical treatment for an undisclosed ailment in London.

  Even after Buhari appeared at the Royal Institute of Internal Affairs popularly called Chatham House, London on Thursday, February 26, and delivered a lecture, there were those who still insist that his continuous stay in the UK underlined the fact that all was not well with the former military ruler.

  This situation had since then pitched the members of the PDP against their APC counterparts.

It would be recalled that even before Buhari travelled out of the country, there has been raging controversy over his health status. Latest of such controversy was the recent statement allegedly made by the wife of President, Dame Patience Jonathan alleging that Buhari was brain-dead.

  Mrs. Jonathan at the recent PDP Women Presidential Campaign Rally in Lokoja, the Kogi State capital, said in pidgin English: “Wetin him (Buhari) dey find again? Him dey drag with him pickin mate. Old man wey no get brain, him brain don die pata pata.”  

  The Peoples Democratic Party Presidential Campaign Organisation had also risen in defence of the First Lady for her pronounciation. 

  The Director of Media and Publicity of the PDPPCO, Femi Fani-Kayode, in a response to the APC Presidential Campaign Organisation on Thursday in Abuja, said: “The First Lady, Dame Patience Jonathan, was absolutely right. To say that General Buhari is ”brain dead” is an understatement and to suggest that he is suffering from dementia is nothing new.”

 “The First Lady has spoken in a courageous and forthright manner and, most important of all, she has spoken the bitter truth. Instead of crying like spoilt little brats and complaining, the APC and the Buhari Campaign Organisation should live with that bitter truth and leave her alone.”

 “She has every right to express herself in any way that she deems fit and she is entitled to her opinion. This is especially so given the fact that her husband, President Goodluck Jonathan, is in the presidential race.

   He stated further: “Our counsel to the APC is as follows: leave the First Lady alone or prepare yourselves for a relentless verbal blitzkrieg, the likes of which you have never seen before.”

  The Ekiti State Governor, Ayo Fayose, had repeatedly said the APC candidate was sick and could not stand the rigours the office demanded if elected.

 He recalled some of Nigeria’s past leaders who died in office, saying Nigeria might be forced into that situation again.

  Mr. Fayose had recently alleged that Mr. Buhari’s visit to London was in connection with his ill-health which he claimed the APC candidate wanted to attend to.