Buhari flies out for treatment after receiving 82 rescued Chibok girls

President Muhammadu Buhari postponed his trip to London for medical treatment by hours last night (Sunday May7) to receive 82 Chibok girls releasd by Boko Haram insurgents, following a prisoner swap deal.

Government said in statements, that 82 more girls were freed by the Boko Haram Islamist militant group, out of the hundreds abducted from a school dormitory more than three years ago in exchange for some of its jailed leaders.

“After lengthy negotiations, our security agencies have taken back these girls in exchange for some Boko Haram suspects held by the authorities,” Garba Shehu, a spokesman for President Muhammadu Buhari, said in a statement posted on the presidency Twitter account late Saturday.

The girls were flown into Abuja, the capital, on Sunday from the northeastern city of Maiduguri, and were met on arrival by family members and government officials, said Femi Adesina, a presidency spokesman.

Vice President Yemi Osinabjo will for the fourth time run the affairs of the country in an acting capacity, while the President is away.

A statement signed by Presidential Spokesman Femi Adesina said the President initially planned to leave on Sunday afternoon but had to wait to receive the 82 freed Chibok girls.

The length of the president’s stay abroad will be determined by his doctors, officials said.

“He had planned to leave Sunday afternoon but decided to tarry a bit, due to the arrival of 82 Chibok girls who arrived Abuja earlier in the day.

“The President wishes to assure all Nigerians that there is no cause for worry. He is very grateful for the prayers and good wishes of the people and hopes they would continue to pray for the peace and unity of the nation.

“The length of the President’s stay in London will be determined by the doctors. The Government will continue to function normally under the able leadership of the Vice President.

“President Buhari has transmitted letters about the trip to the Senate and the House of Representatives, in compliance with Section 145 (1) of the 1999 Constitution” the statement signed by Adesina said .

As Osinbajo takes over the reins of government for the fourth time in the almost two years, it is expected that he will see to the completion of the appointment of boards of  government ministries, department and agencies as well as the assent of the 2017 appropriation.

President Buhari who returned to the country 57 days ago, had said he would be returning to his doctors for follow up medical checks. The Presidency is yet to disclose the nature of the president’s illness.

On his return to the country, Buhari a former military officer said he had never been this sick in his life, not even during his days as a military officer with all the ups and downs. He disclosed that he had blood transfusions, went to the laboratories and met doctors.

His revelation came on the heels of several denials by the Presidency and government officials that the President was sick.

Since his return to the country, the President has made few public appearances, these  mostly being  at the weekly Federal Executive Council meetings and the Friday Juma’at prayers. After missing meetings for three

straight weeks and scarcely showing up in the office and at the Juma’at prayers, reports that he was incapacitated forced an appearance last week Friday at the Aso Rock mosque, where he usually prays alongside other muslim faithful, after two weeks of not been seen.

The President looked frail.

With a few close aides privy to the President’s whereabouts and condition, most others were kept in the dark, and  struggled to defend the President’s  absence from office and from important policy decision meetings.

Despite trying to assuage Nigerians that there was nothing to worry about, there have been palpable concerns in the polity.

The president’s unavailability may have also stunted peace moves between the Executive and the National Assembly and slowed the passage of the over N7trillion budget for 2017.

President Muhammadu Buhari on Sunday received the 82 freed Chibok girls at his official residence in Aso Rock.

Receiving the girls, Buhari said their return was a pleasant second anniversary gift to the people of Nigeria. He added that the Presidency would personally supervise the rehabilitation process of the girls.

“I cannot express in a few words how happy I am to welcome our dear girls back to freedom.

“On behalf of all Nigerians, I will like to share my joy with you, your parents, your relatives, friends and Government of Borno State on regaining your freedom.

“The Federal Government will like to commend the Security Agencies, the Red Cross, local authorities, local and foreign NGOs and all those who contributed in one way or another to secure the release of our Chibok Girls.

“Let me reassure Nigerians, especially relatives and friends of the remaining girls that the Federal Government will spare no effort to see that they and all other Nigerians who have been abducted safely regain their freedom.

 

Elizabeth Archibong with agency reports