Nigeria’s President Muhammadu Buhari has said he returned to the country from London, where he was on a medical leave for 104 days, to “make livelihood for Nigerians better”.
The ailing president said this on Monday, September 4, 2017 while receiving associations of farmers, businessmen, youths, elders and politicians from Katsina at his country home, Daura.
Garba Shehu, one the president’s spokespersons, disclosed this in a statement.
According to the statement, Buhari said he returned to pursue policies that will improve the livelihood of the people, and reposition Nigeria for good.
“Receiving associations of farmers, businessmen, youths, elders and politicians from Katsina at his country home, President Buhari said he returned to the country with renewed hope and strength to pursue policies that will improve the livelihood of the people, and reposition Nigeria for good,” the statement said.
“Considering the challenges we are facing as a nation, we have been doing our best to provide sustainable solutions, and we will keep doing our best.
“I am happy you came here today, and I am thankful for all the prayers. You are leaders of various groups at the grass root, and you are closer to the people so you understand these problems as well. We need your support,’’ the president is quoted as saying.
President Buhari departed Nigeria suddenly in May 2017 on what the presidency said was an indefinite medical leave.
Secrecy surrounding his ailment and health status led to several rumours including that the president was in a coma and on life support.
His long absence from the country gave rise to the ‘Resume or Resign’ protests led by Charly Boy and Deji Adeyanju, a former social media leader in the main opposition, People’s Democratic Party, PDP.
According to Femi Fani-Kayode, an overnight protest in London outside Abuja House where President Buhari was lodging in London lead to his abrupt return to Nigeria late August.
