Following President Muhammadu Buhari’s statement yesterday that he will be extending his vacation in London after results of a series of checkups he carried out in the course of his medical vacation had shown that he needed longer period of rest, the Peoples Democratic Party and major groups, including the Nigeria Voters’ Assembly and the National Association of Resident Doctors, on Tuesday reacted differently to the news.
NARD noted that the absence of Buhari would create some gaps, which could lead to power play at the federal level. However, the PDP wished the president well while the NVA prayed for the him.
Yesterday, Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Mr. Femi Adesina had revealed that Buhari will not be coming back to Nigeria yet as he has been instructed by his doctor to take more rest.
“The President is immensely grateful for the prayers, show of love and concern.
“President Buhari wishes to reassure Nigerians that there is no cause for worry.
‘”During his normal annual checkup, tests showed he needed a longer period of rest, necessitating the President staying longer than originally planned.” Adesina stated.
The national leadership of the PDP said it would continue to pray for Buhari. The Acting National Publicity Secretary of the party, Mr. Bernard Mikko, said this in Abuja on Tuesday.
Mikko stated, “The President’s request should be viewed in accordance with our statutes. Though the terms of his vacation have not been made clear to most Nigerians, most Nigerians wish him well. No patriotic Nigerian will wish his President otherwise.
“He can be excused within the ambit of the law. I don’t know the status of his health and can’t comment on his physical or mental suitability.
“From the age of 50, who is 100 per cent healthy?”
The President of NARD, Dr. Onyebueze Ugochukwu, urged Nigerians to pray for the quick recovery of the President. He prayed that the Acting President would sustain the fight against corruption and insurgency, as reported by Punch.
He also noted that there would be power play in the federal level following the absence of the president.
“These gaps may lead to some internal bickering and power play. This is bound to happen when those in his management team depart from project Nigeria to pursue personal interest,” he stated.
Also speaking on the extended vacation, the National Publicity Secretary of the Yoruba socio-cultural group, Yinka Odumakin, said the cabal around the President would put pressure on the Acting President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo.
He said, “The implication of his long stay is that the country would technically pause for the period he is going to be away. There would be a lot of power play with the cabal around the President, breathing down the neck of the Acting President with ‘the President said’ even when he did not say. They may even sign things in his name knowing that the Acting President does not have regular access.
“We are in for a season of dual Presidency as the power bloc around the President will maximise this season. The President should be commended for transmitting power to his deputy unlike Yar’Adua, who did not transfer power or possibly had his transmission seized by the cabal.”
The President of the NVA, Mashood Erubami, thanked God for the message from the president, as he noted that Nigerians were already very worried.
He said, “We should thank God for the message from the President; a message of hope, which should be well managed to advance the cause of good governance.
“Hitherto, Nigerians were worried that the President was not communicating directly with them as they had to rely on good faith with third party information.
“Now that he can be quoted to have said he will stay longer to rest well before he returns, he is only being truthful and honest with Nigerians. We should all be happy that the evil wishes of the enemies of progress have not come to pass.”
