Presidency: Buhari expected to return to Nigeria today

President Muhammadu Buhari is expected back in the country from London today, the Presidency said last night in a statement.

The statement signed by Presidential spokesman, Mr. Femi Adesina, said:  “President Buhari expresses appreciation to teeming Nigerians from across the country, and beyond, who had prayed fervently for him, and also sent their good wishes.”

With the closure of Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja, to pave way for reconstruction of the runway, the President is likely to be flown into Minna or Kaduna Airport, being the alternate airports to Abuja, from where he would be flown to the capital city in a presidential helicopter.

News of the president’s return first emerged on the president’s twitter handle @MBuhari in a series of four tweets where it was announced that the president would return on Friday, March 10, 2017.

It will be recalled that the President left the country on January 19, 2017, for a vacation, during which he had routine medical check-ups.

He was originally billed to return on February 6 but the holiday was extended based on doctors’ recommendation for further tests and rest.

While in London, the President had been in contact with some prominent Nigerians, especially governors elected on the platform of All Progressives Congress, APC.

In fact, one of the governors, Ibikunle Amosun of Ogun State, also visited the President.

Similarly, Christian and Muslim clerics have been offering prayers for the President to recover and return home in good time.

At the Abuja House, London, where he stayed, he also received chieftains of APC, including Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, and former national chairman of the party, Chief Bisi Akande.

The President also played host to Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki, Speaker of the House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara, and Senate Leader, Ahmad Lawan.

Only yesterday afternoon, President Buhari received the world leader of the Anglican Church and Bishop of Canterbury, Most Revd Justin Welby.

Before leaving the country, President Buhari had transferred power to his vice, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, through the Senate.