President Muhammadu Buhari returns to the country later today after receiving medical attention in London, the presidency has said. The president is set to return after over 100 days in London for medical treatment.
He left the country on May 7 after handing over power to Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, who has functioned as Acting President since then.
His return is believed to be fueled by the pressures mounted by protesters both from home and abroad requesting him to either resume work or resign.
After several days of sitting out at the Unity Fountain Abuja in demand for a #ResumeORResign from the president, protesters had acquired an approval from the Metropolitan Police Department in London to carry out a vigil at the Abuja House in London on the 18th of August, 2017.
The news of the approval troubled the presidency and hurried plans were made to return the president back to Nigeria to avoid further international embarrassment from protesters.
Another source of worry for the presidency was an article by Ayokunle FAGBEMI, a renowned political analyst and public commentator, titled Social-Political Management and Media Spins of Presidential Health Status – Matters Arising from Absenteeism and published on REPORTS AFRIQUE detailing the legal consequences of the president’s absence from office for more than 100 days. Fagbemi’s article had detailed loopholes in the presidency that could amount to a breach of the law and etiquettes of office by his continued absence.
Aisha Buhari could be seen leaving the Abuja House London hours after the vigil began. It became so obvious that the presidency was very troubled by the new development.
To forestall further pressures from protesters, the presidency announced on the 19th of August, 2017, one day after the London protest that President Buhari was headed home and would address the country 7 am on the 21st of August, 2017.
Femi Adesina, one of his media aides made the announcement of his arrival thanking all Nigerians who have prayed ceaselessly for his recovery and well-being since the beginning of the health challenge.
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| #ResumeOrResign: How London Protest Forced Buhari to Hurriedly Return to Nigeria |
