Buhari has not abdicated his role as Commander-in-Chief of Nigeria – Presidency

The Presidency has assured Nigerians that there is no cause for apprehension over President Muhammadu Buhari’s health.

This statement was made by the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu on Thursday.

He assured the good people of Nigeria that, despite the insinuations of a number of media organisations, there is no need for anxiety.

“President Buhari’s absence at the Federal Executive Council meeting of Wednesday, April 26, was a last minute decision; otherwise, the cabinet and the public might have been alerted in advance.

“As eager as he is to be up and about, the President’s doctors have advised on his taking things slowly, as he fully recovers from the long period of treatment in the United Kingdom some weeks ago.

“President Buhari himself, on his return to the country, made Nigerians aware of the state of his health while he was in London. Full recovery is sometimes a slow process, requiring periods of rest and relaxation, as the Minister for Information, Lai Mohammed, intimated in his press briefing after the FEC meeting on Wednesday.” He said.

Shehu also said: “Despite his lack of visibility, Nigerians should rest assured that President Buhari has not abdicated his role as Commander-in-Chief of Nigeria.”

According to him, the President receives daily briefings on the activities of government, and confers regularly with his Vice President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo and that his private residence, in which he has been spending the majority of his time recently, has a fully equipped office.

“God is the giver of life and health. We are grateful that He has seen our President through the worst period of his convalescence in London.

“We are thankful that the President has passed a number of benchmarks already. We pray that God continues to see him through this period of recuperation.” He said.

By Abiodun Adeniyi