President absent from Juma’at prayers at Aso Rock mosque

monjola sotubo

April 28, 2017 3:15 PM

The service was however attended by Governors Abdullahi Ganduje, Abdulaziz Yari and Ibikunle Amosun.

President

The service was however attended by Governors Abdullahi Ganduje, Abdulaziz Yari and Ibikunle Amosun of Kano, Zamfara and Ogun States respectively.

Buhari’s absence follows comments from Ekiti State Governor, Ayo Fayose that he had become a “Friday president” who was only seen during prayers at the Aso Rock mosque.

The president was also absent from the Federal Executive Council (FEC) on Wednesday, April 26.

The Presidency has however dismissed concerns that Buhari has fallen ill again.

“As eager as he is to be up and about, the President’s doctors have advised on his taking things slowly, as he fully recovers from the long period of treatment in the United Kingdom some weeks ago,” Buhari spokesman, Garba Shehu said.

"President Buhari himself, on his return to the country, made Nigerians aware of the state of his health while he was in London. Full recovery is sometimes a slow process, requiring periods of rest and relaxation, as the Minister for Information, Lai Mohammed, intimated in his press briefing after the FEC meeting on Wednesday.

“Despite his lack of visibility, Nigerians should rest assured that President Buhari has not abdicated his role as Commander-in-Chief of Nigeria. He receives daily briefings on the activities of government, and confers regularly with his Vice President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo. His private residence, in which he has been spending the majority of his time recently, also has a fully equipped office.

“God is the giver of life and health. We are grateful that He has seen our President through the worst period of his convalescence in London. We are thankful that the President has passed a number of benchmarks already. We pray that God continues to see him through this period of recuperation,” he added.

Buhari’s health has been cause for concern since January 19 when he left Nigeria for a 10-day medical vacation in London.

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The president ended up spending 49 days in London and admitted upon his return, on March 10, that he had never been so sick in his life.

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