Chairman of the Nigeria Governors Forum (NGF) and Zamfara State governor, Abdullaziz Yari, leading six other governors, one representing each of the geopolitical zones, would meet recuperating President Muhammadu Buhari in London at 3 pm today.
The six governors namely: Dave Umahi, Ebonyi, (South East); Umar Ganduje, Kano (North West); Kassim Shettima, Borno North East); Samuel Ortom, Benue (North Central); Udom Emmanuel, Akwa Ibom South South, and Abiola Ajumobi. Oyo, South West) left Abuja last night to arrive London this morning.
This disclosure was made, yesterday, by spokespersons for the Presidency, including the Special Adviser on Media and Publicity to the President, Femi Adesina, the Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity to the President, Shehu Garba and the Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity to the Acting President, Laolu Akande, who briefed State House correspondents in Abuja.
A break down of the delegation showed that four of the governors are members of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) while Umahi and Emmanuel are members of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
Adesina said the briefing was necessitated by what he described as a major development about the health of the president after the visit of the All Progressive Congress (APC) governors to London at the weekend.
On why Ekiti State Governor Ayo Fayose who has been vocal on the president’s health issue was not on the delegation, Adesina explained: “The selection was by the Governors Forum and you will see that the delegation is headed by Governor Yari who is chairman of that forum. So that question should go to the forum.”
However, in his reaction to NGF’s delegation, Fayose said in a text message: “I wish the president quick recovery. The PDP governors or governors travelling are competent, responsible enough to represent the forum.”
Asked why the president was yet to address Nigerians, Adesina replied: “It’s a question of what he prefers and this is what he prefers for now. He would rather receive that delegation and that is what is happening. If the president opts for address option he will do it.”
Shehu said the visit was a goodwill visit.
“There is nothing more than that. I believe Nigerians in various position have yearned to go meet the president and at some point this obviously has not been permitted…As a cultural people, we visit people leaving hospital and I’m sure the president himself will be delighted to see people from the six geo-political zones, coming to convey the goodwill of Nigerians.”
On the need for a second delegation when those on the weekend visit were also members of the NGF and who was sponsoring the trip, Adesina said: “You will notice that those that went at the weekend are members of All Progressive Congress (APC), so those who are going now is on a broader platform which is the Nigerian Governors Forum. As to who is sponsoring, I don’t have any information on that.”
When told that it was curious that while the news was that the president will soon be back another delegation was headed for London, Adesina said:
“It should be the other way. Instead of being curious it should be the right time for the visit. When somebody has recovered or something or the other happened, it is in our culture for us to visit such a person. So, this is the right time because the news is that he is recovering and recovering well. I’m sure you are aware of the letter he just wrote to the African Union Chairman when he told him that he is making very good progress. So, this is the proper time for him to receive delegations rather than when he was indisposed.”
-Sunnewsonline
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