By Teddy Nwanunobi
Abuja (Sundiata Post) — Vice President, Yemi Osinbajo, will continue in acting capacity, despite the arrival of President Muhammadu Buhari early Friday morning.
Buhari had been away from active service for 51 days, having been on medical vacation in London, England.
It would be recalled that Buhari had left the country in January on an earlier scheduled medical vacation, which he extended indefinitely over his medical reports, and based on advice from his medical doctors.
Buhari, who during his medical vacation in the UK had played host to top Nigerians within the government and within the All Progressive Party (APC), arrived at about 4 a.m. on Friday.
He arrived at the Kaduna International Airport due to the closure of the Nnamdi Azikwe International Airport in Abuja for maintenance.
He was, thereafter, airlifted to the Presidential villa in Abuja via helicopter.
The news of Buhari’s return on Friday was first broken last night in a statement by his media aide, Femi Adesina.
It was thought that the President might address the nation Friday, after his long absence, in order to quell any concerns over his capacity to govern the country.
But Buhari has asked Osinbajo to continue in acting capacity, while he keeps resting.
At the meeting, Buhari promised to re-dedicate himself to the service of the nation.
Buhari dropped the message when he met with Osinbajo and other top government officials in the Presidential Villa in Aso Rock.
“I am pleased I am back, I am feeling much better now,” he said.
Thereafter, he asked those, who planned to send a delegation to come and welcome him, to stay back, and continue to pray for the country.
Buhari also hinted that he would be doing some follow-ups on his health in a few weeks.
The meeting was held at the First Lady’s Conference Room inside the Aso Rock Presidential Villa.
Aisha Buhari (left) welcomes her husband,Buhari, at the Aso Rock Villa on arrival from London 51 days after on Friday
Service chiefs and ministers were also at the meeting.
Osinbajo was among those, who received Buhari on arrival from London at 8.42 a.m. on Friday.
Osinbajo, however, admitted that he had a “very interesting and challenging time”, while he held the fort for Buhari as the Acting President.
He thanked the President for the confidence reposed in him by handing over the reins of government to him as the Acting President.
Buhari later retired to his residence at the end of the meeting he had with top government officials led by Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo at the First Lady Conference Room.
Among those, who recieved Buhari at the Helipad at the Aso Rock were: Chief of Staff to the President, Abba Kyari; National Security Adviser, Babagana Monguno; Director-General of the Department of State Services (DSS), Lawal Daura; and Femi Adesina, presidential spokesman.
Some dignitaries that welcomed Buhari on arrival from London on Friday
Governor of Kano State, Abdullahi Ganduje; and his Zamfara State counterpart, Abdulaziz Yari, were also among those that attended the meeting.
Meanwhile, some political analysts are of the view that the President should not have come back to the country, if he was not strong enough to take charge of the nation’s affairs.
They maintained that Buhari has only arrived to share in the glory of Osinbajo’s performance in governance.
“Funny Nigerian president.. Now he wants to come back to the country just because he heard that people are getting used to his vice performing more than he can ever dream of,” a Nigerian in Diaspora, Charles Udeagbala, said.
