President Muhammadu Buhari will officially resume work on Monday after he has written to the National Assembly informing them of his return.
Aso Rock officials told BDSUNDAY that the President would be meeting with Vice President Yemi Osinbajo this weekend for discussions and probably have a debriefing session.
In a meeting after his return from a 50-day medical vacation in London, Buhari had said he deliberately decided to arrive on a weekend to allow Osinbajo continue with his work while he rested some more.
“I deliberately came back towards the weekend, so that the Vice President will continue and I will continue to rest,” he said.
The President had earlier in his remarks said some of his experiences while away in London were only to be shared with Osinbajo.
His media handlers had immediately taken to their Twitter handles stating that he was taken out of context. They explained that the President said it jokingly and clarified that he would be transmitting a letter to the National Assembly on Monday.
“PMB will Monday transmit a letter to N’ Assembly on his return to the country. That makes his return to work formal, and constitutional,” Femi Adesina, presidential spokesperson, tweeted on Friday.
Meanwhile, finally coming out with the true state of his health, Nigeria’s leader said he has never been this sick in his life, not even during his days as a military officer with all the ups and downs. He disclosed that he had blood transfusions, went to the laboratories and met doctors.
His revelation is coming on the heels of several denials by the Presidency and government officials that the President was sick, maintaining that he was “hale and hearty”.
After the normal pleasantries and a one-line response of “I am fine as you can see” to enquiries by journalists who asked how he was feeling now, the President proceeded to the conference hall of the First Lady’s residence where he held a meeting with Vice President Osinbajo, governors, all the service chiefs, ministers and other principal aides of government.
The President landed in Kaduna at about 7:40 am, Friday, and was received by the acting governor of Kaduna State, Barnabas Bantex. He landed at the Presidential helipad inside the Aso Rock at about 8:40am.
Speaking at the meeting, Buhari said, “I am feeling much better now. There may, however, be need for further follow up within some weeks.
“I have rested as much as humanly possible, I have received, I think, the best of treatment I could receive. I couldn’t recall being so sick since I was a young man, including the military with its ups and downs.
“I found out that technology is going so fast that if you have a lot of confidence you better keep it because you need it.
“I had blood transfusions, going to the laboratories, and so on and so forth; I couldn’t recall when last I had blood transfusion, I couldn’t recall, honestly, I can say in my seventy years.”
He thanked Nigerians, Muslims and Christians alike who prayed and continue to pray for his good health.
“This is a testimony that in spite of the hardship being experienced, Nigerians support the government in its efforts to tackle our country’s challenges.
“The best way for me to pay you all is to rededicate myself to serving you, protecting your interest and keeping your trust. I thank you very much,” he said.
He, however, asked that instead of sending multiple delegations to Abuja to welcome him, Nigerians should rather continue to pray for the unity, progress, and prosperity of the country.
In his remark, Vice President Osinbajo said it was satisfying for Nigerians and the Federal Executive Council to receive the President back in the country “hale and hearty”.
The Vice President thanked the President for respecting the constitution and entrusting power to him before traveling, noting that it was a tough job “going around in borrowed robes”.
Chairman of Nigerian Governors’ Forum, Abdulaziz Yari, Minister of Information, Lai Mohammed, and Chief of Defence Staff, Abayomi Gabriel Olonishakin, also made remarks to welcome the President.
Mohammed in his remarks said it was a thing of joy, adding that the President’s return has vindicated their position that he would return safely.
