The president said he prefers to seriously reflect on issues placed before him and ensure that his conscience had been satisfied prior to granting approval.

“I decided to drop the uniform and come back here (to be President of Nigeria), so I have gone through it over and over again. This is why I am not in a hurry to do anything. I will sit and reflect, and continue to (operate) with my clear conscience,” Mr. Buhari said during a Thursday afternoon meeting with his party leaders and supporters which was covered by Channels TV in Abuja.

“I had to invite you to let us eat together and I tell you that I am sitting here very much aware of the problem in this country. I will always reflect on historical antecedents,” the president added.

Mr. Buhari regularly draws criticism for his snail-speed approach to national matters, including issues that may be deemed urgent by many, like reacting to tragic incidents or updating citizens about his government’s activities.

Mr. Buhari delayed setting up a cabinet for about six months after he assumed office, an outcome that analysts partly blamed for plunging Nigeria’s economy into recession in August 2016.

The country had since emerged from recession after posting growth for two consecutive quarters in a row.

Lawmakers alarmed by the historic delay immediately moved to curb such occurrences in future by passing an amendment to the Nigerian constitution.

The amendment, passed last year, gave a newly-elected president a maximum of 30 days to appoint ministers and get the federal cabinet running.

The amendment was part of the more than 30 areas of alterations that the National Assembly entered into the constitution as part of its ongoing measures to rework the governing document and make it more acceptable to the citizens.

The amendments have been pushed to the 36 states of the federation where at least two-thirds are required to concur with each amendment before pushing it to the executive for presidential assent.

A political analyst, Eluma Asogwa, said the president’s comments were laughable in the face of his activities within the last two years.

“A president that promised to hit the ground running took more than six months to set up a cabinet, saying he wanted get the best hands,” Mr. Asogwa said. “But when he eventually announced his ministers, we discovered that the majority were those that had long polluted our political space in this country.”

Mr. Asogwa said the president’s failings emanated largely from his inability to critically analyse issues and take prompt actions in line with the requirements of the modern age.

“Nigeria’s problems under President Buhari are largely about inactions than actions that were taken in earnest but wrongly,” added Mr. Asogwa, an Abuja-based legal practitioner.

Mr. Asogwa also cited the national embarrassment over the release of board appointments last month.

“He took more than two years to appoint board members only for him to end up with ‘dead people,”‘ the analyst said. “Even to remove the dead people and replace them with those still alive has taken him nearly one month and counting.”

Mr. Asogwa said he still believes that the president could still record significant achievements for the country within the remaining time in his tenure.

“I believe he could still do something even though many have written him off that he can’t do anything within the remaining one year of his government.

“The president means well for this country and I believe he could still deliver for those of us who believe in him,” Mr. Asogwa said.

The president’s supporters have asked him carry on with his style, which they described as “slow and steady” adding that it had made it difficult for would-be treasury looters to perpetuate their ignoble acts.

Channels reported that Mr. Buhari thanked his guests and assured them of unwavering thought of their loyalties and efforts.

“I thank you very much for honouring my invitation and I am telling you that if I don’t call you, it is not because, for a moment, I ever forgot how you supported me at one stage or the other over the years.”

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Source: Premium Times

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It is unclear when he is expected to return to his country as the statement said that will only be determined by doctors.

This is amidst growing concerns about the health of the national leader who earlier this year spent more than a month in London for medical attention.

The statement issued on Sunday indicated that the Vice President, Yemi Osinbajo will lead the country in his absence.

It said, “Muhammadu Buhari proceeds to London tonight for follow-up medical consultation with his doctors. He had planned to leave Sunday afternoon but decided to tarry a bit due to the arrival of 82 Chibok girls who arrived in Abuja earlier in the day.”

“The President wishes to assure all Nigerians that there is no cause for worry. He is very grateful for the prayers and good wishes of the people, and hopes they would continue to pray for the peace and unity of the nation,” the statement signed by presidential spokesman Femi Adesina said.

On January 19, 2017 Buhari left Nigeria for London to “undergo routine medical check-ups” but returned after almost two months on March 10.

Although he had disclosed he was ailing, it is unclear exactly what condition he was suffering from.

Meanwhile, his wife, Aisha Buhari, has said that her husband’s health was “not as bad as it’s being perceived.”

She wrote in a twitter post on Tuesday that “He continues to carry out his responsibilities during this period,” although she did not state exactly when may be wrong with the President.

Read the letter from the Presidency below:

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By: Jonas Nyabor/citifmonline.com/Ghana

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Muhammadu Buhari has ordered an investigation into how the spy agency headed by Mr Oke came into possession of the money, his office added.

Mr Oke has not yet commented.

However, unnamed intelligence officials told local media that the money was kept in the flat for covert operations.

Anti-corruption officials have uncovered bundles of cash in Nigeria this year.

Mr Buhari took office in 2015 with a pledge to root out corruption in government.

In a statement, his office said he had also suspended his close aide, David Babachir Lawal, pending an investigation into contracts awarded to deal with the humanitarian crisis in the north-east. The region has been hit by an insurgency by militant Islamist group Boko Haram.

A three-member panel, led by Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo, will investigate both cases, Mr Buhari’s office added.

Apart from US notes worth $43.4m, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) found nearly £27,800 and some 23m naira ($75,000) at the empty flat in Lagos’s affluent Ikoyi suburb.

The National Intelligence Agency (NIA), which led by Mr Oke, had laid claim to the money, Mr Buhari’s office said.

The panel has been ordered to report within 14 days on who authorised the release of the money to the NIA and whether any laws or security procedures had been breached, Mr Buhari’s office added.

Mr Oke would remain suspended pending the outcome of the investigation, it said.

Last week, the EFCC said it carried out the raid after a tip-off that a woman, looking “haggard” and wearing “dirty clothes”, was taking bags in and out of the seventh-floor flat.

The “neatly arranged” cash was stashed in “sealed wrappers” in wardrobes and cabinets in the four-bedroom flat, the EFCC added.

In March, it said it had found “crispy” banknotes worth $155,000 at the airport in northern Kaduna city.

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Source: BBC

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Buhari had been in the United Kingdom for 51 days after he extended his vacation to seek medical care.

The Nigerian leader took to his Twitter handle @MBuhari to make the announcement:

“I resumed work today. I’ve formally transmitted letters to @NGRSenate & @HouseNGR, in compliance with S145 of the amended 1999 Constitution,” he added.

I resumed work today. I’ve formally transmitted letters to @NGRSenate & @HouseNGR, in compliance with S145 of the amended 1999 Constitution pic.twitter.com/SdIq35uN5V

— Muhammadu Buhari (@MBuhari) March 13, 2017

As I settle down to work, first things first—I received a briefing from Vice President @ProfOsinbajo. pic.twitter.com/JpT5H1Grvl

— Muhammadu Buhari (@MBuhari) March 13, 2017

Mr. Buhari, 74 left Nigeria on 19 January 2017 for a vacation in London and was scheduled to return to work on 6 February however he had to stay longer in the UK for health reasons.

While in London, the president reportedly received visitors at his base in the British capital, and made telephone calls to dignitaries in Nigeria.

An excited governor of Kaduna, Nasir el-Rufai, said on Facebook last Friday:

“The President is back. He has landed safely in Kaduna and received by Acting Governor Barnabas Yusuf Bala and senior KDSG officials. The government and people of Kaduna State are proud to receive our First Citizen back to his home to face the task of rebuilding Nigeria. Alhamdulillah. Jumaat Mubarak to everyone,” he added.

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By: Godwin A. Allotey/citifmonline.com/Ghana
Follow @AlloteyGodwin

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