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| President Muhammadu Buhari on arrival received by the Acting President, Yemi Osinbajo at the Presidential Wing of the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja. August 19,2017. |
President Muhammadu Buhari, Saturday, alighted from the Presidential Jet in Nigeria’s federal capital, Abuja, setting a record as the first Nigerian president/head of state to be away from the country for over 100 days.
The President’s Jet, Eagle One, touched down at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport at about 4:38 PM on Saturday from the United Kingdom where the president had been on medical vacation.
Earlier in the day and in preparation for his return, Aso Rock was congested with activities as members of staff were on standby to receive the President, who jetted out of the United Kingdom at 10:27am for the journey back home.
Our Correspondent in Abuja reports that Presidential Villa suddenly came alive with all the security vehicles and personnel that usually serve in the president’s convoy on standby for directives.
On hand to receive the President on arrival at the airport are the Acting President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo, members of the Federal Executive Council and the National Security Adviser, Babagana Monguno.
Others are the Chief of Staff, Abba Kyari; governors of Imo and Bauchi states – Rochas Okorocha and Mohammed Abubakar, as well as the presidential aides among others.
President Buhari who has been away from the country for 103 days on medical vacation in London, left the country on May 7 after handing over to Vice President Yemi Osinbajo.
Mr. Femi Adeshina, special adviser on media and publicity to the president, had said in a press release that the president would address Nigerians on Monday, August 21.
Expectedly, some Nigerians took to the streets of Abuja to welcome the President back to the country.
The All Progressives Congress (APC), which is also the president’s party, joined the people to welcome the president.
APC, in a statement signed by its national publicity secretary, Mr. Bolaji Abdullahi, thanked the acting president for his competent leadership in the absence of the president and also commended him for effort to unite Nigeria and drive the recovery of the national economy.
The party also thanked all Nigerians, who had prayed ceaselessly for the speedy recovery and safe return of the president, assuring them of federal government’s commitment to fulfilling all the electoral promises made to Nigerians.
Some Nigerians have also taken to Twitter and other social media platforms to express their views on the development.
Buhari's long absence for the country had sparked-off protests both in Nigeria and London with some asking for him to resume or resign.
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