Presidency: Buhari is Home Sick, Will Soon Return
• Says he may call Nigerians
The presidency has once again informed Nigerians to expect President Muhammadi Buhari very soon, because he is no longer “enjoying his stay” overseas.
Senior Special Assistant, Media and Publicity to the President, Malam Garba Shehu made this known in an interview with Channels Television in Abuja yesterday.
Shehu said: “As a matter of fact, we should be getting ready to see the president in flesh and that will be (as) soon as possible.
“The president (himself) is looking forward to coming home to be with his people.
“I don’t think he is enjoying any longer the extended vacation outside the country.”
Shehu, who also reacted to the remarks that trailed the president’s telephone conversation with the United State President Donald Trump on Monday, said it was very “undiplomatic” for some persons to demand for the release of the audio recording on the conversation.
According to him, releasing the audio was unethical and against modern day civilization.
“No, I don’t think so; I don’t think it is permitted in international diplomacy. I think if we had recorded Mr. Trump in this conversation, it would have offended our diplomatic relations.
“I think the Americans themselves would not have recorded this conversation of president to president,” he said.
Shehu was also of the view that the conversation between Trump and Buhari will help boost the bilateral relations between Nigeria and the U.S.
“Well, there wasn’t enough time to talk about everything. I think the point at what will follow is in the invitation that President Trump has extended to our president to come over.
“That is the kind of opportunity that was presented to Nigeria, put all the issues on the desk,” he said.
The president’s media aide also spoke on Trump’s Executive Order, which banned entry to nationals of seven countries coming to U.S. and placed a suspension on immigration by Syrian refugees, but which has been upturned by a Federal High Court in the State of Washington and upheld by the Appeal Court.
“As for their immigration policy, I think our president has been clear about one thing – the choice made by Americans as to who to lead them in this case, Mr. Trump, is entirely their own choice.
“We have no business interfering with their domestic affairs.
“As to the countries that have been barred, it has been clearly specified and Nigeria did not feature in the list,” he added.
However, when asked about the results of the president’s medical tests which was the reason given for his extended vacation in the UK, Shehu said he has no information concerning it.
“No, we have no information on that (test results). If he had received them, he would have been on the plane back home,” he said.
The presidency also revealed that Buhari may call to speak with Nigerians on the phone soon.
The hint was dropped by his Special Adviser, Media and Publicity, Mr. Femi Adesina during a live appearance on a political show on Channels television on Monday night.
“Yes, he (Buhari) said maybe he will speak to Nigerians by phone, and I also say maybe,” Adesina said in response to a question on whether the president will speak to Nigerians after a phone call with President Trump.
He also reiterated that the president would only return when his doctors say it is okay to do so.
He added: “The issue of his coming back is already in the public domain in the letter that was transmitted to the National Assembly. He said as soon as he has an ‘all clear’ on his health, he’ll be back. I think that issue has been settled
“I communicate what has been told to me. Unless I receive a definite communication that says the president will be back on this date, then I can say so.
“Otherwise, I’ll just be making a guess if I say anything that has not been said to me. Don’t forget that I’m a spokesman. I speak for somebody. I communicate what has been transmitted to me.”
