Get ready to see President Buhari soon — Presidential aide

A presidential aide, Malam Garba Shehu, has asked
Nigerians to be ready to see President Muhammadu
Buhari return from his medical vacation in London to
the country anytime soon.
Shehu, the Senior Special Assistant on Media and
Publicity to the President, made the statement in an
interview with Channels Television in Abuja on Tuesday.
He said the president was no longer “enjoying his stay’’
outside the country.
“As a matter of fact, we should be getting ready to see
the president flesh and blood and that will be as soon
as possible.
“The president (himself) is looking forward to being
home to be with his people.
“I don’t think he is enjoying any longer an extended
vacation outside the country,’’ Shehu said.
Commenting on the president’s telephone conversation
with U.S. President Donald Trump, the spokesman said
it was “undiplomatic’’ for anyone to demand for the
release of the audio recording of the conversation.
According to him, releasing an audio containing the
telephone conversation between two presidents is highly
unethical and against modern civilisation.
“No, I don’t think so; I don’t think it is permitted in
international diplomacy. I think if we had recorded Mr
Trump in this conversation it would have offended our
diplomatic relations.
“I think the Americans themselves would not have
recorded this conversation of president to president,’’ he
said.
On the president’s medical test results being expected
from doctors, Shehu said he had no information on
whether the president had collected the results or not.
“No, we have no information on that (test results). If he
had received them, he would have been on the plane
back home.’’
Shehu said there was not enough time for the two
presidents to discuss other continental and international
issues.
He, however, expressed optimism that the conversation
would boost bilateral relations between Nigeria and the
U.S.
“Well, there wasn’t enough time to talk about
everything. I think the point at what will follow is in the
invitation that President Trump has extended to our
president (Buhari) to come over.
“That is the kind of opportunity that was presented to
Nigeria to put all the issues on the desk.
“As for their immigration policy, I think our president
has been clear about one thing – the choices made by
the Americans as to who to lead them, in this case, Mr
Trump, is entirely their own choice.
“We have no business interfering with their domestic
affairs.
“As to the countries that have been barred, it has been
clearly specified and Nigeria did not feature in the list,’’
he added.
Buhari proceeded on medical vacation on Jan. 19 and
wrote to the Senate that Vice-president Yemi Osinbajo
would act in his absence.
His absence which has stretched beyond the initial 10-
day request has generated speculations about his
health condition in spite of the fact that he wrote the
Senate again on Feb. 5 for an extension of the leave
period.
On Monday, Buhari spoke with Trump by telephone at
the request of the American president.
The President’s Special Adviser on Media and Publicity,
Mr Femi Adesina, said in a statement that the two
leaders discussed ways to improve cooperation in the
fight against terrorism.
He said Trump assured Buhari of the U.S Government’s
readiness to enter a new deal in helping Nigeria in the
supply of weapons to combat terrorism.
“Trump also invited Buhari to Washington at a mutually
convenient date,’’ Adesina said. .(NAN)