Buhari Returns 24-Hour Ahead of Schedule, Readies for 2019

By Omololu Ogunmade in Abuja

Twenty-four hours ahead of his scheduled return from London, United Kingdom, where he had gone for a four-day medical trip, President Muhammadu Buhari returned to the country yesterday evening in a manner that took many by surprise.

The President who arrived Abuja at about 7pm, was received by the Minister of Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Malam Muhammad Bello, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Malam Garba Shehu, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Diaspora Matters, Abike Dabiri-Erewa and the Permanent Secretary, State House, Jalal Arabi.

Speaking after disembarking from the Presidential jet at the Nnanmdi Azikiwe International Airport, the president said he was healthy but only went for a necessary medical check-up. “I went for further medical check-up. I am alright,” he said.

Also speaking on the President’s return, Shehu told THISDAY last night that the President was in high spirit and having been certified to be okay medically, he is now fully ready for 2019 Presidential contest. “The President has returned to the country. He is in high spirit and is set for 2019 polls,” Shehu said.

Shehu who had on Tuesday announced the President’s return to the United Kingdom on a four-day medical trip, said the trip was in compliance with his doctor’s request following a meeting he had with him last weekend on his way back to the country from Washington DC. 

He had said the President would return to the country today and get prepared for a two-day presidential trip to Jigawa on Monday. But the President opted to arrive 24 hours earlier than scheduled.

“In the course of the technical stop-over for aircraft maintenance in London on his way back from Washington last week, the President had a meeting with his doctor,” he said