I went abroad to rest, says Buhari

ad to rest, says Buhari

MARCH 7, 2015 BY JOHN ALECHENU190 Comments

All Progressives Congress presidential candidate, General Muhammadu Buhari (second right) on arrival in Nigeria from the United Kingdom at the Nnamdi Azikwe International Airport in Abuja... on Friday. | credits: Olatunji Obasa

The presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress, Maj.Gen Mohammadu Buhari on Friday returned to the country after spending two weeks abroad.

Buhari returned in company of his family members, members of the APC Presidential campaign team led by the Deputy Director-General of the campaign, Senator Olorunimbe Mamora.

The retired General, who arrived the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport aboard a British Airways flight at about 5:40am dressed in a black flowing gown, dismissed speculations about the state of his health.

Responding to news making the rounds that he went abroad to seek medical attention for an undisclosed ailment, Buhari said, “I just went off for a couple of weeks to rest. That’s all I did.”

Asked whether he visited any hospital during the trip to the UK, he replied, “What is wrong for me to go to the hospital? Am I not here now? Aren’t you seeing me? Are you seeing a sick man?”

Addressing his Chatham House visit also, the APC presidential candidate said, “I went to Chatham House to deliver an address and there was a question and answer session. That’s all.”

He took no further questions as he joined a waiting vehicle while waving to several of his supporters who were on hand to welcome him.

Entry into and exit out of the airport was chaotic as a long convoy of vehicles belonging to his supporters who wanted to catch a glimpse of their hero blocked the major entry and exit point at the airport.

Ongoing rehabilitation work within the facility added to the chaos.

His return ended speculations about his state of health especially by members of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party.

At the height of such speculations, the Governor of Ekiti State, Ayo Fayose, announced that the retired General was actually in London to seek medical attention.

He was even said to have sent a team to monitor the general’s movement in the United Kingdom.

It will be recalled that Buhari left Nigeria on Thursday, February 19, 2015.