Buhari returns to Abuja

President Muhammadu Buhari has returned to Nigeria after a two-week vacation in London.

The plane carrying the president landed at the Presidential Wing of the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport at about 5.32 p.m.

Members of the Federal Executive Council, Service Chiefs, Chief of Staff to the President, Abba Kyari, and Inspector General of Police, Solomon Arase, were among those who welcomed President Buhari at the airport.

Others at the airport were Gov. Abdulaziz Yari of Zamfara, Gov. Yahaya Bello of Kogi and other government functionaries.
Presidential Guards of Honour was also mounted by the Guards Brigade to welcome the president back home.

Speaking to State House correspondents after inspecting the guard of honour the President said he was now well, saying , “You have seen me, you saw me when I was going, you can do the assessment by yourself.

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

The Special Adviser to the President on media. Femi Adesina confirmed that the President would resume duty fully on Monday. He restated his position that the President did not go on medical vacation but merely followed the advice of his medical specialists to seek further advice.

“The President is fit he is going to begin work in earnest,” Adesina said.

President Buhari left Abuja on June 6 for a short vacation in London, where he used the opportunity to seek medical attention from a specialist on Ear, Nose and Throat (ENT) for the treatment of a persistent ear infection.

While on vacation in London, President Buhari hosted dignitaries including former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu and Awujale of Ijebuland, Oba Sikiru Adetona 11.

Others were the Archbishop of Canterbury, Archbishop Justin Welby and the Secretary General of Anglican Communion, Most Rev. Josiah Idowu.

The president was supposed to resume on Thursday based on the letter communicated to the National Assembly before he travelled out.But Vice President Yemi Osinbajo told State House correspondents on Thursday in Abuja that “it is best for the president to take the weekend off.”