FG takes over Arik Air over huge debts Buhari receives Tinubu, Akande in London
resident Muhammadu Buhari, currently on a medical vacation in London, has lately been receiving high profile visitors or speaking on phone with prominent Nigerian leaders.
Since his arrival in London the president has maintained a low profile but his rumoured death had gone viral in the social media before it was dispelled.
Among the latest visitors to the president in London were the national leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Ahmed Bola Tinubu and a former interim chairman of the party, Chief Bisi Akande.
The Presidency, in its twitter handle @NGRPresident, yesterday released Buhari’s photograph with Tinubu and Akande.
The picture showed the trio smiling broadly in front of the president’s guest house at the Nigerian High Commission.
The Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Mr Femi Adesina, told our correspondent on the telephone that the photograph was authentic.
He, however, declined comment on the report that President Buhari would return to Nigeria weekend.
President Buhari Sunday extended his 10-day vacation in the United Kingdom which aides say is to enable him complete and receive the results of a series of tests recommended by his doctors.
The Presidency had, at several times, told the nation that President Buhari was hale and hearty, but those peddling rumours of his death, it seems, wanted more than a statement to convince them of his healthiness.
Buhari calls Saraki, Dogara
President Buhari on Wednesday night called Senate President, Bukola Saraki, and House Speaker Yakubu Dogara.
Saraki posted on his Twitter handle on Wednesday night: “$Happy to have spoken with @NGRPresident @MBuhari tonight. He was in good spirits and joked about my working late into the night, as usual.”
Similarly, Dogara said in a statement by his spokesman, Turaki Hassan that the president called him at about 9.pm Wednesday and the two leaders spoke for five minutes.
Although the president and the speaker discussed many national issues, much of the time was devoted on how the executive and the legislature could work together to ensure food security for Nigerians, the statement said.
“As the Rt. Hon. Speaker twitter via his official twitter handle @YakubDogara, Mr. President called him at around 9pm ... and they spoke for about five minutes. “They discussed many national issues including ways of ensuring food security for Nigerians.”
JNI, CAN call for prayers
The two national religious bodies, the Jama’atu Nasril Islam (JNI) and the Christians Association of Nigeria (CAN) in separate statements have called on their adherents to pray for President Buhari.
In a statement by its Secretary General, Dr. Khalid Abubakar Aliyu, the JNI said it was perturbed over the series of rumours making the rounds on the state of President Muhammadu Buhari’s health.
Dr Aliyu said: “It should be however noted that as with every mortal, illness is inevitable, likewise life and death. Thus, JNI is very concerned about the pandemonium generated as a result of the rumoured illness of the President and the dimension it is unfortunately taking.
“Does that mean, he can no longer get ill? Agreed that reports from the presidency stated that, President Muhammadu Buhari is currently undergoing cycle of tests as recommended by his doctors, hence the extension of his leave.
“We must as patriots, be cautioned on spreading inaccurate information. More so, Muslims should be cautioned not to join the bandwagon of rumour mongers. This is so because already some unpatriotic elements are wishing that the President is dead. Interestingly, those who wish him dead will certainly not live till eternity. Aren’t we supposed to wish each other good wellbeing? Let alone, the President of the country?”
“In the same vein, we are all implored to fervently pray for the nation, the Vice President, Governors and all those in the positions of authority, for Allah’s guidance in the discharge of their respective duties.”
CAN on its part urged Nigerians to continue to support President Muhammadu Buhari and pray for his wellbeing.
The Director of Legal and Public Affairs of CAN Evangelist Kwamkur Samuel made the plea yesterday in Abuja in a statement.
He said the association was concerned about the ongoing national conversation on the absence of the President due to ill-health.
“We wish to call on all Nigerians to join hands in prayers for the quick and full recovery of Mr. President and his safe return to Nigeria instead of dwelling on the needless rumour mongering on the President’s health,” Samuel said.
He said that CAN appreciated the anxiety of Nigerians to hear Mr. President speak, but that President Buhari is human and could get sick.
“We advise the Presidency to update Nigerians on how he is fairing and the full progress of his recovery. We call on all Christians and indeed all Godfearing Nigerians to dedicate time of prayers for our President and the nation. We owe our leaders prayers and support at all times while shunning divisive opinions that only generate strive,” he said.