- Touches Nigerian Ground At Exactly 4:36pm Nigerian Time
By Time Nigeria
After about 103 days of medical vacation to United Kingdom, the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, President Muhammadu Buhari finally returned back to the country as he touches Nigerian ground at exactly 4:36pm Nigerian Time at Nnamdi Azikwe International Airport, Abuja.
President Buhari left Nigerian shore on May 7, 2017 for a medical treatment in UK on an undisclosed ailment.
On arrival, President was received by the Acting President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, member of the Federal Executive Council (FEC) including Governor of Bauchi, Mohammed Abdullahi Abubakar, Imo State Governor Rochas Okorocha and other party leaders.
Prior to his arrival, the die-hard supporters of Mr President had formed a mammoth crowd at the Airport patiently waiting to receive the President whom they had been praying fervently for his safe and healthy return.
Earlier, in a short statement signed by the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Mr Femi Adesina said the President will arrive today Saturday, 19th of August, 2017 and he will address Nigerians in a live broadcast on Monday, 7am August 21
The presidential aide said the president also thanked all Nigerians for their prayers for his recovery.
“The president is expected to arrive later today, Saturday, August 19 President Muhammadu Buhari is expected back in Nigeria today, Saturday, August 19.”
“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.” The statement further said.
It would be recalled that before his arrival, series of courtesy visits were made on him at the Abuja House in London among the groups were the All Progressives Congress, APC led by Chairman of the governing party, Chief John Oyegun, APC Governors led by the Governor of Zamfara State, Alhaji Abdulazeez Yari, the leader of National Assembly led by Senate President Bukola Saraki and his counterpart Speaker, Yakubu Dogara, as well as the member of opposition party, Peoples Democratic Party, PDP Governors includes the Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Governor Udom Gabriel Emmanuel.
Recently, the presidency had published pictures of a smiling Buhari meeting the Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, in Abuja House, part of the Nigerian High Commission in London.
One of the last callers to Mr President in London was a spiritual leader, the General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church, Pastor Enoch Adejare Adeboye.
With President Buhari’s arrival well-meaning Nigerians have since been sending congratulatory messages to welcome the President back to Nigeria.
Among them is, the President of the Senate, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki, who welcomed President Muhammadu Buhari back to Nigeria. In a statement signed by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Yusuph Olaniyonu, Saraki thanked God for the safe return and recovery of the President, and reaffirmed the commitment of the National Assembly to continue working alongside the President in achieving objectives aimed at improving the standard of living of Nigerians and overall development of the country.
Senator representing Kaduna Central in the National Assembly, Shehu Sani, has also reacted to the return of President Muhammadu Buhari to the country after 103 days of medical vacation in London.
Senator Sheu Sani described the return of President Muhammadu Buhari as Lion King who is back to his palace, on his Facebook and twitter page, he wrote: “Welcoming the Lion King back to the palace and the crocodiles will shed tears of joy and you will see the snakes dance the rhumba, orangutan clapping, foxes smiling, cougars coming with flowers and hawks spraying fragrances of felicity”.
Also the Honourable Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr Geoffrey Onyeama, wrote on his twitter “welcome home, Mr President. We are all delighted to have you back; fully recovered, fired up and ready to lead!”
The zonal missioner and Chief Imam of Nasirul-Lahi-li-Fatihi Society of Nigeria, NASFAT Abuja, Imam Sharafudeen Abdulsalam Aliagan has also joined numerous Nigerians to welcome Mr President back to Nigeria. He thanked God for the safe and healthy recovery of Mr President.
According to him, “we are happy that Almighty God listened to the voice of common men in Nigeria who have been praying for sound health for Mr. President. We have nothing to say order than to give thanks, glorification and adoration to Almighty God for answering our prayers over our President, we prayed God for more strength, wisdom and ability for him to see Nigeria through and to the promise land.”
It is therefore evident that the Mr President’s arrival will not only douse some tensions already brewing in the country, most especially the agitation of the Concerned Nigerians group led by the popular musician, Charles Oputa fondly called Charley Boy demanding for the resumption or resignation of Mr President by #OurMumuDonDo#. It will also lay down to rest the false allegation by the Governor of Ekiti State, Mr Ayodele Fayose who alleged that President Buhari was on a Life Supporting Machine and so many others.