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Buhari surprisingly returns to Nigeria, reschedules London medical trip
President Muhammadu Buhari made a surprise return to Abuja on Friday, after attending the 50th Anniversary of the UN Environmental Programme (UNEP) in Nairobi, Kenya.
The president had been scheduled to proceed to London, United Kingdom, for a two-week medical check-up, after his visit to Kenya.
Surprisingly, however, Buhari returned to Nigeria, without an official statement announcing his return or why he had to abort his trip to London.
“President Muhammadu Buhari has returned to Abuja, after his participation in the 50th Anniversary of the UN Environmental Programme (UNEP) in Nairobi, Kenya,” wrote Bashir Ahmaad, Personal Assistant on Digital and New Media to President Buhari, on his Twitter handle, Friday.
The president’s Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina, had on Tuesday in a statement stated that Buhari would be traveling to Kenya for the United Nations event scheduled for 3rd-4th March, 2022, and thereafter proceed on a two-week medical leave.
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“From Kenya, President Buhari will proceed to London for routine medical checks that will last for a maximum of two weeks,” Adesina had said.
When it appeared that some Nigerians expressed surprise at the turn of event, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Mallam Garba Shehu, stepped up with a response.
Shehu said the president completed his assignment in Nairobi, Kenya, early and had to return to Nigeria. Asked whether the president had abandoned his London tour, Shehu replied: “No, he hasn’t shelved his trip to London. The plan is still there. He finished his business in Kenya and made an early return. The trip to London is Sunday.”
