• Benin monarch calls for prayers
From Tony Osauzo, Benin
Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity to President Muhammadu Buhari, Mallam Garba Shehu, has said he is home-sick and Nigerians should expect him back soon.
Buhari travelled to London, the United Kingdom, on January 19, 2017, on medical vacation.
In a letter to the National Assembly, he said his deputy, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, will act in his absence, in line with section 145 of the 1999 Constitution, as amended.
Shehu said this on a television station monitored in Lagos, yesterday .
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 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,’’ he said.
Speaking on the president’s telephone conversation with United States of America President, Donald Trump, Garba said it was “undiplomatic’’ for anyone to demand the release of the audio recording of the conversation. He insisted that 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 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.
Shehu said there was not enough time for the two presidents to discuss other continental and international issues.
On Monday, Buhari spoke with Mr. Trump by telephone at the request of the American president.
Meanwhile, Oba of Benin, Omo N’Oba N’Edo Uku-Akpolokpolo Ewuare II, has directed all Igie – Ohen, (priests and priestesses), Oba N’ Amen, Enigies Odionwere -Evbo and all the traditional rulers in Edo State to intensify prayers for the fast recovery of president Buhari.
The Benin monarch said Buhari’s felicitation visit to Edo during, before and after his coronation, as well as his good intentions to change the current economic woes of the country for the benefit of all, cannot be undermined. Oba Ewuare II added that the president needs the prayers of traditional institutions to govern the country in good health. He gave the directive at a gathering of over 50 communities in Umegbe village in Oredo council area of the state during his final royal tour of villages and communities across the seven council areas of Benin nation.
The president’s Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina, said in a statement that the two leaders discussed ways to improve cooperation in the fight against terrorism.
He said Mr. 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.
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.’’