Our Publisher at LookNaija, attempts to provide answers to 7 key questions Nigerians and the international community have been asking about President Muhammadu Buhari’s return from a sick leave in the United Kingdom yesterday.
When did President Buhari return to Nigeria and how long was he abroad
President Muhammadu Buhari returned to Nigeria on March 10, 2017, exactly 50 days after he left the country on January 19 for rest and some medical checks. He had planned to return on February 5 to resume work the next day on February 6. But on February 5, he extended his sick leave via a letter to the Senate. The President said he was simply obeying the advice of his doctors who wanted him to carry more tests before returning to the country.
Is President Buhari done with his tests now? Is he fully recovered now?
On Friday, March 10, when he returned, he met some members of government and security chiefs and in a speech to them and the nation, he said he “feels much better now”, but added that there may be need for “further follow ups within weeks”. So, the President is healthy enough to endure a six hour trip from London to Kaduna and another 20 or 25 minutes from Kaduna to Abuja but he’s not fully ok. Some reports claimed that the President may be travelling back in the next two weeks to complete his tests in the United Kingdom.
Does anyone know what ails the President? Has he disclosed it?
Some people such as his doctors and close family members and friends might know. But he has not told the Nigerian public. The constitution and the law in general do not compel him or anybody to talk about their illness in public. It’s treated as a private matter.
With President back into the country, is he in charge of the country now? Or is Vice President osinbajo still acting?
The Vice President Osinbajo remains acting President until Mr. Buhari notifies the National Assembly on Monday that he is back. Although he is in the country, but in the eyes of the law, he is not yet back. His spokesman Femi Adesina was quoted as saying that Mr. Buhari would notify the National Assembly on Monday that he is now back into the country and ready to resume work. So, Osinbajo remains acting President this weekend.
Buhari said he may go back for some follow ups within weeks, why did he have to come back then? Why didn’t he wait until everything is complete?
Yes, indeed, many have said that the President should have just stayed in London to complete his treatment, but unconfirmed reports said the President was “forced” to return to reclaim power. An online newspaper has consistently said Mr. Buhari is unwell and may need many months abroad for his treatment. But that he was asked to come, show up and return, to at least disprove rumours that he was not well, could not walk or talk. But these are just unconfirmed reports and no one has any solid evidence to prove that Mr. Buhari returned to Nigeria against the advice and wishes of his doctors in London.
How did the country receive him? Are people happy to see their President back?
There are mixed reactions. People from the northern part of Nigeria were very happy. There were celebrations in Kaduna and Borno states, according to reports. And when the plane carrying President Buhari landed at the Air Force base in kaduna, supporters ran helter-skelter in jubilation. It was difficult to control the crowd. Many prominent people from northern Nigeria also welcomed the President. But in other parts of the country, many say the economy was improving without Mr. Buhari and he should have remained in London for many months. But officially, no one really came to condemn his return. But there are many people who wished Osinbajo remained in charge till 2019 when the next election takes place.
What does Buhari return mean to Nigeria’s politics and the economy?
Really, no one knows the direction the country would take in the next two weeks, especially as far as the economy is concerned. There are many politicians who were afraid of rumours of Mr. Buhari’s passing. Those fears would be put to rest for now. But if there are clear signs that Mr. Buhari is unable to lead the country, the power struggle ahead of 2019 may begin. Four men who will be watched closely are former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, Governor of Katsina state, Nasir El-Rufai, the former governor of Lagos state, Bola Ahmed Tinubu and to a certain degree, the governor of Sokoto state, Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, who, unlike El-Rufai, has a national appeal and seems to be doing well in Sokoto. As time goes on, the picture would become clearer.Labels: latest, nigerianpolitics, politics
