The Presidency has alerted Nigerians on the possible
return of President Muhammadu Buhari from London any moment from today
as he is no longer “enjoying his stay’’ outside the country. President
Buhari, who proceeded on vacation to UK on Jan. 19 for a routine
medical check had indicated in a letter to the Senate, transmitted
another letter to the Senate, on Feb. 5, requesting extension of time to
complete the medical check-up.
The Senior Special Assistant on
Media and Publicity to the President, Malam Garba Shehu, in an interview
with the Channels Television in Abuja on Tuesday, said that the
president would be returning to Nigeria soonest as he was no longer
`comfortable’ with the extended vacation in London.
He said, “As a matter of fact, we should be getting ready to see the president in fresh and that will be soon as possible.
“The President (himself) is looking to being home to be with his people.
“I don’t think he is enjoying any longer with an extended vacation outside the country.’’
On
the president’s telephone conversation with President Trump, Shehu
described as “undiplomatic’’ the request being made in some quarters for
the release of the audio containing the conversation.
According
to him, releasing an audio containing telephone conversation between two
presidents is highly unethical and against modern day civilization.
He
said, “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.”
On
the president’s test results being expected from his doctors, the
presidential aide said he had no information on whether the president
had collected the results or not.
He said, “No, we have no
information on that (test results). If he had received them, he would
have been on the plane back home.’’
Shehu, who noted that
there was no enough time for the two presidents to discuss other
continental and international, however, expressed optimism that the
conversation would boost the bilateral relations between Nigeria and the
U.S.
He said, “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 (Buhari) to come
over.
“That is the kind of opportunity that was presented to Nigeria put all the issues on the desk.
“As
for their immigration policy, I think our president has been clear
about one thing- the choices made by the 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 barred, it has been clearly specified and Nigeria did not feature in the list.”
Buhari had on Monday in London spoke with Trump by telephone at the request of the American President.
According
to the president’s Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Mr. Femi
Adesina, the conversation was cordial and Buhari congratulated Trump on
his election as President of the United States and on his cabinet.
Adesina
said the two leaders discussed ways to improve cooperation in the fight
against terrorism through provision of necessary equipment.
According
to him, Trump encourages Buhari to keep up the good work he is doing,
and also commends him for the efforts he has made in rescuing 24 of the
Chibok Girls and the strides being taken by the Nigerian military.
“Trump
assured the Nigerian president of the U.S readiness to cut a new deal
in helping Nigeria in terms of military weapons to combat terrorism.
“Trump also invited Buhari to Washington at a mutually convenient date,’’ the statement concluded.
The
American President has since been putting calls to other world leaders
to inform them of his action plans towards the eradication of terrorism
in America.
Nigerians have, however, been reacting to the statement with diverse views.
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