Ailing Buhari receives Tinubu, Akande at Abuja House

…President hale and hearty, says Saraki

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By Femi SHODUNKE

UK: PRESIDENT Muhammadu Buhari is hale and hearty in London, United Kingdom where he is undergoing medical treatment.

He is presently staying at the Nigerian government residence in London named Abuja House.

The good state of the President health was made known on Thursday by his Special Adviser (Media and Publicity), Mr. Femi Adesina, who posted President Buhari’s picture where he was in joyous mood with the chieftains of the All Progressive Congress (APC), Asiwaju Bola Tinubu and Chief Bisi Akande, the former Governor of Osun State who visited him.

“President Muhammadu Buhari receives APC chieftains, Senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Chief Bisi Akande, at Abuja House in London on Thursday, February 9, 2017,” Adesina posted on his Facebook.

Similarly, the Senate President, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki, had earlier on Wednesday confirmed that the President was “hale and hearty.”

He said on his twitter page that he had spoken with President Buhari who also joked with him on his proactive nature in working late into the night.

The Special Adviser to Saraki on Media, Yusuph Olaniyonu, who confirmed the conversation on a social media, Penpushing, said that the President was in good spirit when the Senate President spoke with him.

“He was in good spirit and joked about my working late into the night, as usual,” Saraki said.

It would be recalled that Buhari had last January 19 travelled to the United Kingdom (UK) for a 10-day holiday, which included undergoing medical check-ups.

Adesina said that while away, the Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, would be in charge as the acting President.

Adesina explained that the President, who travelled to UK for medical treatment the second time after assuming office, would resume work on February 6.

In a news release entitled “President Buhari proceeds on vacation,” Adesina said: “President Muhammadu Buhari leaves for the United Kingdom today on a short leave, which is part of his annual vacation.  He is expected to resume work on February 6, 2017.”

“During the vacation, the President will also undergo routine medical check-ups,” the Special Adviser said, adding: “In line with Section 145 (1) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), the President of the Senate, and Speaker, House of Representatives, have been duly communicated.”

“While away, the Vice President, Prof Yemi Osinbajo, will perform the functions of the Office of the President,” Adesina stressed.

The President also had on June 6, 2016 travelled to UK for 10-day medical treatment, the trip which attracted condemnation from Nigerians, particularly over the amount spent at the London hospital.

Adesina, while announcing the trip last year, said that the President was travelling to London “to rest.”

“During the holiday, he will see an E.N.T. specialist for a persistent ear infection,” the spokesperson said, adding: “The President was examined by his Personal Physician and an E.N.T Specialist in Abuja and was treated.  Both Nigerian doctors recommended further evaluation purely as a precaution.”

But following his inability to return as scheduled, the President had dispatched a letter to the National Assembly requesting for his further stay in UK for medical tests results.

Adesina said: “President Muhammadu Buhari has written to the National Assembly today, February 5, 2017, informing of his desire to extend his leave in order to complete and receive the results of a series of tests recommended by his doctors.
“The President had planned to return to Abuja this evening, but was advised to complete the test cycle before returning.”

He further said: “The notice has since been dispatched to the Senate President, and Speaker, House of Representatives.”
“Mr. President expresses his sincere gratitude to Nigerians for their concern, prayers and kind wishes,” the Special Adviser stressed.

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