Buhari arrives back in Abuja instead of proceeding to London for two week health vacation

PRESIDENT Muhammadu Buhari has dumbfounded political commentators by making a surprise return to Abuja this morning after attending the United Nations Environmental Programme (Unep) 50th anniversary in Kenya.

Over the last three days, the president has been in Nairobi the Kenyan capital from where he had been expected to fly to London for a two week medical vacation. On Tuesday, presidential spokesman Femi Adesina, announced that after the Nairobi summit, President Buhari will proceed to London for routine medical checks that will last for a maximum of two weeks.

Since assuming office in 2015, President Buhari has been plagued with health concerns and has to visit his doctors in London at least once a year. In some instances, he has had to stay away for elongated periods, during which he handed over the running of the country to vice president Professor Yemi Osinbajo.

Mr Adesina had said: “Sequel to an invitation extended to him by his Kenyan counterpart, Uhuru Kenyatta, President Muhammadu Buhari will depart Abuja Tuesday, March 1 to participate in the commemoration of the 50th anniversary of the United Nations Environmental Programme (Unep), scheduled for March 3 to 4 in Nairobi, Kenya. From Kenya, President Buhari will proceed to London for routine medical checks that will last for a maximum of two weeks.”

President Buhari was accompanied by the foreign minister Geoffrey Onyeama, minister of state for the environment Sharon Ikeazor and the national security adviser Major General Babagana Monguno. Also on the entourage were the director-general of the National Intelligence Agency Ambassador Ahmed Rufai Abubakar and the chief executive of the Nigeria Diaspora Commission Hon Abike Dabiri-Erewa.

However, in a surprise development, President Buhari and his team arrived at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja this afternoon at around1pm. It is still not yet clear of the president will still fly to London for his health check or if his doctors have postponed the appointment.