Nigerians Celebrate Buhari’s Return
Thousands of Nigerians celebrated the return of President Muhammadu Buhari over the weekend. The President has been on medical leave in the UK for over 100 days.
Buhari left Nigeria for his second medical break in London on 7 May of this year to receive treatment for a mystery illness.
Neither Buhari nor the Nigerian government has confirmed exactly what illness Buhari has been receiving treatment for. However, several people have suggested that Buhari was receiving treatment for cancer.
Buhari returned to his country on Saturday, where he was greeted by several government officials. Thousands of cheering Nigerians lined the streets as Buhari and his entourage made their way to the presidential villa in Abuja.
On Sunday, celebration and thanksgiving services were held in churches across the country, with Vice President Yemi Osinbajo leading a thanksgiving service at the chapel at the presidential villa.
Osinbajo has been the acting president of the country during Buhari’s absence.
Buhari addressed the public in a brief speech on Monday, saying that he is happy to finally be home.
Buhari also took the opportunity to address the unity of Nigeria and its people, as well as the various threats the country is facing.
Tensions are on the rise in various aspects of the country: the oil industry – Nigeria’s biggest source of income – is in turmoil; terrorist group, Boko Haram, has been terrorising certain parts of the country for years; and the increasing humanitarian crisis has left millions displaced and starving.
“Nigeria’s unity is settled and not negotiable…We shall not allow irresponsible elements to start trouble, and when things get bad they run away and saddle others with the responsibility of bringing back order, if necessary with their blood,” Buhari said during his speech.
Buhari also assured Nigerians that the government will increase their efforts in fighting Boko Haram.
“We are going to reinforce and reinvigorate the fight not only against elements of Boko Haram which are attempting a new series of attacks on soft targets…kidnappings, farmers versus herdsmen clashes in addition to ethnic violence fueled by political mischief makers. We shall tackle them all [sic],” he said.
Image credit: Buhari returns to Nigeria (2017) [online image] sourced on 22 August 2017 at https://guardian.ng/news/104-days-after-buhari-returns-home/
