Since his return from a medical vacation in London, the United Kingdom (UK), President Muhammadu Buhari has been on and off from public glare. During his 49 days in London, his vice, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo piloted the ship of state, traversing the length and breadth of the country.
For some Nigerians, the President’s saw quick fixes to a number of challenges confronting the nation especially, the restiveness in the Niger Delta region. With the President’s return, Vice President Osinbajo reverted to his position as a deputy.
Critics of the Buhari government insist that governance has been affected in the presidency. President Buhari continues to rest on his doctors’ advice that he takes things slowly to recuperate fast. He was however on his feet last Friday to attend the Jumaat Service at the Villa Mosque as well as received the 82 freed Chibok schoolgirls on Sunday.
Day one: March 10
The President on March 10 returned to the presidential villa, Abuja after spending 49 days in London. He arrived the country through the Air Force Base in Kaduna from where he was flown on a presidential helicopter and landed at the helipad inside Aso Rock.
On arrival, the President proceeded immediately to hold a crucial meeting with some state governors, members of the Federal Executive Council (FEC) and the nation’s service chiefs as well as other senior government officials, who had trooped into the villa to receive him.
It was during this meeting that the President announced how he had blood transfusion. He also declared that he had never been this sick in his life like that. Later in the day, the President issued a statement in which he mourned the death of Dr. Samuel Ogemudia, former governor of the defunct Midwest region and old Bendel State.
Day two: March 11
No activity
Day three: March 12
After resting on Saturday March 11, the President on Sunday, March 12, released a statement congratulating Prof. Niyi Osundare, a poet, dramatist and columnist on the occasion of his 70th birthday. No other official function held on this particular day.
Day four: March 13
On Monday March 13, the President resumed officially in his office at the presidential villa, where he held a closed-door meeting with Vice President Osinbajo, who steered the ship of state while he was in London. The meeting lasted for an hour.
Vice President Osinbajo told State House correspondents after the meeting that he had reverted to his usual position, explaining that he had been going round the country in borrowed robs. On the same day, the President transmitted a letter to both leadership of the National Assembly, officially informing the lawmakers of his return and resumption to duty.
Day five: March 14
Buhari on Tuesday March 14, met with Senate President Bukola Saraki and the Speaker of the House of Representatives Yakubu Dogara. He was briefed by the two principal officers of the National Assembly on strategies that were being employed in the last few months and steps going forward to strengthen the nation’s economy at the level of lawmaking.
Both Saraki and Dogara had earlier visited Buhari, while he was in London. Issues that were discussed between the leaders included the confirmation of the new Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN). Justice Walter Onnoghen, the confirmation of ambassadorial nominees that was due and the instability in the Niger Delta as well as the on-going 2017 budget passage process.
It was indeed a busy day for the President. Buhari also signed the instrument of ratification of the treaty on the establishment of Abidjan-Lagos corridor for the governments of Republic of Benin, Cote Divore, Ghana, Togo and Nigeria. That was not all. The President also received briefings from the governor of Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Mr. Godwin Emefiele.
Day six: March 15
On Wednesday, the President showed up and attended his first meeting of the Federal Executive Council (FEC) after his medical vacation. The appearance of the President was an excitement to cabinet members, who discussed in clusters, while waiting for his arrival into the Council Chambers, venue of the meeting. The meeting, which kicked off at about 10am lasted for two hours.
Day seven: March 16
The seventh day of his resumption of duty in Aso Rock featured the meeting of the National Economic Council (NEC). The meeting which is presided by the vice president comprises of the governors of the 36 states of the federation and minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), the governor of the CBN, minister of Finance, Attorney General and Minister of Justice as well as the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF).
The NEC meeting started at exactly 11am. At about 2pm, President Buhari joined members of the NEC, where he went round the chambers exchanging pleasantries with them. President Buhari had earlier announced that he would not be receiving guests including the governors took the move to prevent any other future visits at the presidential villa.
One excitement at the meeting was the assurance from President Buhari that he would not rest until the mirage of challenges facing the country, were tackled. The President thereafter directed the release of the second trench of the Paris Club refund to states.
Day eight: March 17
The President on Friday joined other Muslim faithful for the Juma’at prayers. President Buhari was joined at the mosque by the acting chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Com-mission (EFCC) Ibrahim Magu; Kano State governor, Abdullahi Ganduje; Attorney-General and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami; Minister of Interior, General Abdulrahman Dambazzau and National Security Adviser, General Babagana Monguno. He thereafter retired to his official residence in the presidential villa.
Day nine/10: March 18/19
No activity. The two days passed with no activity as the President took some time to rest for the weekend.
Day eleven: March 20
No activity
Day twelve: March 21
The second working day in the week, President Buhari issued a statement in condemnation of the massacre in Zaki Biam, Benue State as well as wanton killings in other parts of the country. The statement was released by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Mr. Femi Adesina.
On the same day, three African leaders, the Presidents of Gambia, Ghana and Egypt called to wish President Buhari good health and quick recovery. The President of Egypt, Abdel Fattah el-Sisi assured President Buhari of his country’s readiness to support Nigeria win the war on terrorism.
On his part, the Gambia leader, Adama Barrow thanked Buhari on his leadership role in the country, while Akuffo-Addo of Ghana, called the President to wish him good health and greater bilateral cooperation between the West African countries.
President Buhari during the day also held closed door meeting with the Chief of Army Staff Lt. General Tukur Buratai and the Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshall Sadiq Abubakar. The meeting it was learnt focused on addressing the spate of killings in some parts of the country. The President same day also met with the Comptroller General (CG) of Customs Col. Hameed Ali (rtd).
Day 13: March 22
On Wednesday, President Buhari presided over the weekly FEC meeting at the presidential villa during which road contracts worth N82.45 billion were approved across 12 states of the federation and Abuja. The meeting also approved the power sector recovery programme (PSRP), which has with it different policy actions to boost electricity supply to consumers.
Later in the day, the President’s spokesman, Adesina, issued a statement mourning the death of former General Officer Commanding (GOC) 2nd Infantry Division and 3rd Infantry Division of the Nigerian Army, Major- General Emmanuel Abisoye (rtd).
President Buhari on the same day condemned the terrorist attack at Westminster, London. He assured the British Prime Minister that the government and people of Nigeria will continue to stand with Britons at the sad and trying moment in their country.
Day 14: March 23
On the 14th day of the President’s return from the United Kingdom, there was no official engagement.
Day 15: March 24
The President wrote to a letter commending the British government for its support in the fight against the Boko Haram insurgency in the North-East. In the letter, President Buahri expressed appreciation saying that its assistance is helping Nigeria in winning the war.
The President later met with the Inspector General of Police (IGP) Ibrahim Idri, to receive briefs over the killings in Zaki Biam, Benue State and Ile-Ife, Osun State. The President directed consequently security agencies to launch investigation into the Benue Killings with a view to bringing the perpetrators of the dastardly act to book.
Day 16: March 25
On Thursday March 25, President Buhari received a telephone call from his Senegalese counterpart, President Macky Sall. The Senegal leader had called to commend Buhari for his intervention in The Gambian impasse that led to the restoration of democracy in the West African country. Sall who described himself as younger brother to President Buhari also prayed for his good health.
Day 17: March 26
No activity
Day 18: March 27
On Monday, March 27, the President continued with the series of his meetings with the service chiefs to receive brief on the state of security in the country. It was the turn of the Chief of Naval Staf, Vice Ekwe Ibas. That was all for the day.
Day 19: March 28
It seems the President was gradually slowing down activities. On Tuesday, the Defence Minister, Brig. General Dan Ali (rtd), took his turn to brief the President. The meeting was at the heels of the small arms competition held at the Sambisa forest.
For Dan Ali, a milestone had been achieved and the President needed to know this achievement. The minister took time to explain to reporters about the fall of Sambisa forest. His visit capped the security briefings.
On the same day, President Buhari issued a statement congratulating the National Leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and former Lagos State governor, Bola Tinubu, on his 65th birthday, describing him as one person who has raised the bar for several politicians in the country.
Day 20: March 29
The President again, presided over the weekly FEC meeting. He appeared active and lively to provide the needed leadership for the cabinet members. The meeting lasted for over three hours. One issue that came up after the meeting was whether it was appropriate for the Federal Government to make public its spending on the health of the President. But, in the view of the Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, taking such action will jeopardise national security.
Day 21: March 30
Thursday March 30, featured less traffic at the President’s wing of the villa. One single engagement of the President was the farewell meeting with the Saudi Arabian ambassador, Amb. Fahad Bin Abdullah Sefyan.
President Buhari took the opportunity to expressed happiness over the existing bilateral ties between Nigeria and Saudi Arabia. On the same day, rumour was fast spreading that the President has already dispatched an advanced team to the UK ahead of his trip for another round of medical check-up. His media team was compelled to issue a statement refuting such information.
Day 22: March 31
The President as usual, joined other Muslim faithful for the Juma’at prayers at the Aso Rock mosque. Among the dignitaries, who prayed with the President was the governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello, the Kano State governor, Ganduje and the Comptroller General of Customs, Col. Ali. President Buhari later approved the immediate deployment of four newly appointed ambassadorsdesignate as well as appoint new heads and chief executive officers for Federal Government agencies and parastatals.
The President, who was expected to attend the global forum on Anti-Corruption and Integrity hosted by the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) in France, did not. He rather sent Vice President Osinbajo to represent him at the event. The Vice Present left on the day President Buhari attended the Juma’at prayers back home.
Day 23: April 1
The two first days in the month of April fell on a weekend. They came to pass without any official engagement by the President.
Day 25: April 3
Again, the President received the two leaders of the National Assembly, Senate President, Saraki and the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Dogara at the Presidential Villa. It was curious seeing these two personalities, who were at the villa not too ago.
Their visit was at a time issues of the non-confirmation of Magu as the substantive Chairman of the EFCC and the crisis over the Customs Comptroller-General, Col. Ali (rtd) dominated the political space. After the meeting, which lasted for about 46 minutes, both personalities told reporters that disagreement between the executive and the legislature is a usual phenomenon in a democracy.
Day 26: April 4
One of the earlier callers to the presidential villa on this day was former Head of State, General Yakubu Gowon. He met President Buhari behind closed-doors. The former leader later told reporters that he was at the villa to thank the President for calling to him while on medical vacation in London to commiserate with him (Gowon) on the death his sister.
He said that he also came to wish him quick recovery. Later in the day, President Buhari met with the chairman of the Nigerian Governors Forum and governor of Zamfara State, Abdulahi Yari, alongside the Minister of Agriculture, Chief Audu Ogbeh to receive briefs on China-Nigeria agricultural treaties.
Day 27: April 5
President Buhari attended another FEC meeting and later retired to rest on his doctors’ advice as well as operate from home. It was indeed, the biggest public event he presided since his return from the UK. The council meeting featured first, the launching of the Economic Recovery Growth Plan (ERGP).
Council meeting continued with President Buhari in attendance, where they approved the receipt of $1.28 billion from four international development organisations including the World Bank to support the takeoff of the Development Bank of Nigeria (DBN).
Day 28: April 6
It was a very light day regarding activities involving the President. He met with the Minister of Youths and Sports, Solomon Dalung, on developments in the sector. Buhari later issued a statement hailing the election of the president of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Mr. Amaju Pinnick, into the Executive Committee of the General Assembly of the Confederation of African Football (CAF).
Day 29: April 7
The President worshiped at the Villa Mosque along with the Senate President, Saraki, Governors Ganduje (Kano), Bello (Kogi) and Aminu Masari (Katsina). Other personalities at the mosque included the Acting Chairman of the EFCC, Magu, Comptroller of Customs, Ali and Director-General of the Department of State Service, Lawal Daura.
Day 30/31: April 8 and 9
The two days in the weekend came with little or no activities except for the statement by the President in which he congratulated Africa’s richest man, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, on his 60th birthday. President Buhari said he believes the business mogul remains a shining example of the virtues of choosing entrepreneurship from an early age, treading the path of diligence, perseverance and continuous learning to build some of the world’s largest manufacturing and distribution companies, with household names in Nigeria and beyond.
Day 32: April 10
No activity. But it appeared that the President worked from home or quietly treated files in the office without receiving visitors. This was the first working day of the week.
Day 33: April 11
President Buhari held a closeddoor meeting with the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Walter Onnoghen. It was a brief meeting after which the CJN told reporters that he was committed to the Federal Government’s anticorruption war. Although the CJN spoke on the recent loses of court cases by government agencies, he said the matter did not come up during their discussions.
Day 34: April 12
It was the meeting of the Federal Executive Council. This time, President Buhari did not show up, which again raised concerns about the state of his health. Vice President Osinbajo presided over the meeting. Expectations were high that the President would attend.
Inside the Council Chambers, everyone including the Vice President was taken by surprise by his absence. Government’s explanation was that the President considered the items on the agenda of the meeting, which was very light and asked his vice to preside.
Later in the day, President Buhari informed Nigerians through a statement that his government had reached out to leaders of the Boko Haram sect to rescue the remaining Chibok girls still under captivity.
Day 35: April 13
President Buhari stayed at his official residence. There was no activity involving him.
Day 36: April 14
It was again a day of worship for Muslim faithful. The President showed up and was joined by the Kaduna State governor, Mallam Nasir el-Rufai at the villa mosque. El-Rufai later spoke to State House correspondents, declaring that he was hated by some aides of the President.
He however stressed that nobody, including closed aides of the President could stop him from entering the presidential villa. The Kaduna State governor explained that his recent memo to the President was leaked by the same President’s men.
Day 37 to 40: April 15 to 17
It was a long break, which came as Christians marked the Easter celebration. Saturday, through Sunday and Monday were holidays. The President issued a statement felicitating with Christians in which he called on Nigerians to show love for one another.
Day 41: April 18
Resuming from the long break, President Buhari held closed-door meetings with the Head of Service of the Federation (HoSF), Winifred Oyo-Ita, as well as the Minister of Interior, General Abdulraaman Dambazzua. Both officers briefed the President on different issues bothering on their respective organisations.
Day 42: April 19
It was another day for the weekly FEC meeting. This time, it did not hold. Just back from the long Easter break, the meeting was not even scheduled on the President’s weekly programme. While the speculation on the reasons for the cancellation of the meeting was on, President Buhari shocked many with the announcement suspending two officers from his government, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Babachir David Lawal and the Director General of the National Intelligence Agency (NIA), Ayo Oke.
The President also constituted a three-man investigative team headed by Vice President Osinbajo to probe the allegations against the two officers. The same day, the President mourned foremost Nigerian business mogul and philanthropist, Alhaji Ahmadu Chanchangi.
Day 43: April 20
The President received briefings from a number of his cabinet members behind closed-doors. Those who visited include the Ministers of Solid Minerals Development, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, Niger Delta Affairs, Usani Usani; Sports and Youths Development, Solomon Dalung and Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Mohammed Bello.
Day 44: April 21
It was another day for the Juma’at prayers. Early in the day, President Buhari through his media aide, Adesina, announced the nomination of Prof. James Momoh as Chairman of the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC). The nomination was forwarded to the Senate for confirmation. At about 1.30pm, the President was joined at the Aso Rock Mosque by other Muslim faithful to pray.
Those who joined him include the Acting Chairman of the EFCC, Magu; Director General of the DSS, Daura; Niger State governor, Abubakar Bello; Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami; NSA, General Monguno; his Chief of Staff, Abba Kyari; Permanent Secretary, State House, Jalal Arabi, and the President’s Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu.
The President later retired to his official residence from where he later expressed sadness over the tragic death of several Nigerians at a football viewing centre in Calabar, Cross River State. The incident occurred the previous night.
Day 45: April 22
The weekend as usual came without official engagement except for statements, one of them congratulating the Director General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, (NIMASA), Dr. Dakuku Peterside, on his election as the new Chairman of the Association of African Maritime Administrators (AAMA). On the same day, President Buhari mourned the death of prominent Kano businessman and community leader, Alhaji Audu Adahama.
Day 46: April 24
On Monday, nothing official happened at the President’s wing of the presidential villa. However, the day reminded Nigerians of Decree 4 promulgated by Buhari’s military government, which descended heavily on media practitioners.
His Chief Security Officer (CSO), Bashir Abubakar had expelled the Punch Correspondent, Mr. Lekan Adetayo from the villa for reports, which he perceived as injurious to his principal and the presidency.
The CSO was later disowned by the President’s media team for taking such action without consulting them. After contacting the Director General of the DSS, the decision was reversed with a directive recalling the sacked reporter back to the Villa. The President through his is Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Adesina, commiserated with the Osun State government and members of the National Assembly on the death of Senator Isiaka Adeleke.
Day 47: April 25
No event.
Day 48: April 26
Again, President Buhari failed to attend the weekly FEC meeting raising more anxiety among Nigerians on the state of his health. This time, the Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed explained that the President had requested for cabinet members to allow him have adequate time to rest.
Buhari also asked the ministers to bring all relevant files that needed his attention to be treated from home. Vice President Osinbajo presided over the FEC meeting, which approved a total of N3.8 billion for the lease of fast going vessels for the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (MIMASA).
Day49: April 27
The President met with the leader of the Senate, Senator Ahmed Lawan over the 2017 budget estimates currently before the National Assembly. The 2017 appropriation bill has a total estimate of N7.3 trillion. During the day, the President issued a statement through his media aide, Adesina expressing sadness over the death of former Minister of Education, Prof. Babalola Borishade. This was a day, Vice President Osinbajo presided over the National Economic Council (NEC) meeting inside the villa.
Day 50: April 28
Buhari again this day stayed away from Juma’at prayers. This development created additional worries within the polity of what exactly would have been happening to the President to absent himself from such an important religious gathering. Dignitaries including the Governors Ibikunle Amosun (Ogun), Abdulaziz Yari (Zamfara) and Abdulahi Ganduje (Kano) were amongst those who worshiped at the villa mosque on this day.
Day 51: April 29
Again, the weekend passed without official engagements by the President.
Day 53: May 1
Workers marked their day nationwide. President Buhari, who was expected at the parade and match past by the different affiliate bodies of the Nigerian Labour Congress and Trade Unions at the Eagle Square in Abuja, did not attend the event.
He was represented by the Minister of Labour and Employment, Dr. Chris Ngige. The labour minister could not deliver the speech of the President at the event as he was booed by the crowd. The first day of the month was declared as public holiday by the Federal Government.
Day 52: May 2
President Buhari held a closeddoor meeting with the Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami. The minister, who later briefed reporters at the villa, disclosed the President’s displeasure over the failure of the National Assembly to pass relevant laws that could assist government in its fight against corruption.
Day 55: May 3
President Buhari was absent again at the FEC meeting. This time, the Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed, explained that President Buhari was still resting as advised by his doctors. There had been speculations that the failure of the President to appear in public was due to his failing health. Some online media had reported that President Buhari’s health condition had relapsed to a point that he is being fed intravenously, but Mohammed described the report as “bunkum.”
Day 56: May
On Thursday, President Buhari held a closed-door meeting with the governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Godwin Emefiele, at the presidential villa. The meeting centred on the instability in the foreign exchange market. According to Emefiele, in an interview with reporters, the future of Nigeria’s economy is looking bright with the gradual increase in crude oil prices at the international market.
These were some of the updates the CBN governor presented to the President during the brief meeting at the. The President on the same day was expected to meet the Nigerien President at the presidential villa. However, the meeting was postponed at the instance of the visiting leader, Mahamadou Issoufou.
Day57: May 5
It was another day for the Juma’at prayers and hopes and expectations had been building up. President Buhari’s disappearance from public glare was fast becoming a great concern to even his supporters, who felt that his health condition may have gotten worse.
Finally, the President appeared at the Aso Rock Mosque to the excitement of some of his aides, who have not seen him all this while. The tension would have calmed down. Later in the day, the President ordered the reopening of the Nigerian Maritime University in Delta State before the end of this year. The institution is located in Okerenkoko, Warri, South-West local government of the state.
