Donald Trump to speak with Nigerian President today, February 13

monjola sotubo

February 13, 2017 10:48 AM

Trump will have a telephone conversation with Buhari at 3:45 pm, according to the Africa correspondent for Globe and Mail, Geoffrey York.

Buhari receives congratulatory phone call from President Goodluck Jonathan

US President,

Trump will have a telephone conversation with Buhari at 3:45 pm, according to the Africa correspondent for Globe and Mail, Geoffrey York.

“Today is "Africa day" for Donald Trump. He speaks by phone to Nigerian president Buhari at 3:45 pm (Lagos time); then speaks to Jacob Zuma,” York wrote on Twitter.

“Trump scheduled to speak by phone to Zuma today at 5:10 pm, after speaking to Buhari first.

“Buhari's phone call with Trump today will be fascinating; many Nigerians frustrated that Buhari has been gone from Nigeria for over 3 weeks.

“Nigerians, having heard almost nothing from Buhari for 24 days, are wondering how Donald Trump will even locate him for the phone call today,” he said.

Nigerians have not heard from Buhari since January 19 when he departed the country on a 10-day medical vacation.

The president’s silence during his vacation has given rise to fears that he is in worse condition than the presidency wants to reveal.

Concerns about Buhari’s health status were heightened when he wrote the Senate, on Sunday, February 5, 2017, to extend his vacation indefinitely.

"President Buhari has extended his leave in order to complete and receive the results of a series of tests recommended by his doctors,” a statement by spokesman Femi Adesina read.

The government has also been forced on numerous occasions to dismiss rumours that the president had died.

“It’s only in this part of the world that you wake up in the morning and you say the president of the country is dead. I will not join that kind of debate at all,” Information Minister, Lai Mohammed said on January 25.

Various government officials have also attempted to assured Nigerians that the president is hale and hearty.

“The President is hale and hearty. I spoke to him just this afternoon and we had a very long conversation,” Vice President, Yemi Osinbajo said on Monday, February 6.

ALSO READ: President extends vacation in London

Senate President, Bukola Saraki also revealed that he spoke to Buhari on Wednesday, February 8, adding that the president was in good spirits.

Buhari was also, on Thursday, February 9, pictured with All Progressives Congress (APC) leaders Bola Tinubu and Bisi Akande at the Abuja House in London.

Meanwhile, the letter sent by Buhari to the Senate to extend his leave shows that the president will not return to Nigeria till “the doctors are satisfied that certain factors are ruled out.”

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