Fresh medical vacation for Buhari in London

President Muhammadu Buhari yesterday night left for London, United Kingdom (UK) to meet with his doctors. The presidency said the length of his stay in London would be determined by his medical team. He transmitted a letter to the National Assembly in this respect.

A statement by his spokesman, Femi Adesina, said the president had planned to depart yesterday afternoon, but delayed the trip by some hours to receive the 82 Chibok girls.
The new development may have eventually confirmed the speculations that Buhari has been gravely ill and that he needs to see his doctors instead of worsening his condition by attempting to meet his presidential responsibilities

“The president wishes to assure all Nigerians that there is no cause for worry. He is very grateful for the prayers and good wishes of the people, and hopes they would continue to pray for the peace and unity of the nation. The length of the president’s stay in London will be determined by the doctors. “Government will continue to function normally under the able leadership of the vice president,” the statement read in part. However, ‎State House correspondents, who had been waiting since 2:00 p.m. to cover the meeting with the girls, were barred from the venue when the latter, led by officials and security agents, eventually arrived at the Villa at 7:04 p.m.

But the Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, said the restriction was due to space constraint in the president’s official residence as well as the need to “control the ‎narrative.”
Only government-owned media organisations, including the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA), Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria (FRCN) and Voice of Nigeria (VON) as well as the president’s photographer were allowed to cover the event.

The newsmen, who were at the Council Chambers ahead of the earlier announced 4:00 p.m. time, had earlier been restricted to the entrance of the residence with a provison that they would get access only if granted permission.

But, this was not to be ‎as security agencies barred them to cover the ceremony, which lasted about 45 minutes. Accompanied by the Minister of Women Affairs, Hajiya Aisha Alhassan along with plainclothes security aides, the girls were driven straight into Buhari’s official residence in two tinted Marcopolo luxury bus‎es belonging to the Nigerian Army.

But the main opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has expressed concern over the freed members of the terrorist group. In a statement last night by the spokesman to the caretaker committee, Dayo Adeyeye, the party noted that though it welcomed the release of the girls, the freedom granted to the insurgents would further embolden the group to unleash mayhem on innocent Nigerians.
“The suspected terrorists by the release have escaped justice. And all the efforts made by security agencies to bring them to book have come to nothing,” it said.

Briefing newsmen shortly after the ceremony, presidential spokesman, Femi Adesina, restated the government’s commitment to facilitate the rehabilitation and education of the girls.

Expressing the joy of his boss at their return, he pledged that government would also ensure that the parents have access to them‎ as soon as possible. He declined comments on the number of swapped Boko Haram members, saying it was within the purview of the security agencies.