Buhari’s return: Presidency mocks doubters

PRESIDENT Muhammadu Buhari on Sunday returned to Abuja, after a 10-day private visit to the United Kingdom, with the Presidency taunting a section of the media which had doubted his return on schedule to swallow their words.

In a statement titled: “President Buhari returns: Can they swallow their words?” by Femi Adesina, Special Adviser to the President (Media and Publicity), it posited: “Some reckless online media, irresponsible political opposition, and other bilious groups and individuals, had gone on overdrive since the President left the country on April 25, insinuating that he was going for hospitalization, and would not return after 10 days as stated.

“In their vain imaginations, they even stated that fictive doctors have advised President Buhari to stay longer for more intensive care.

“Now that the President has returned, can these apostles of evil imaginings swallow their words?

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“Can they retract their tendentious stories as well as press statements, and apologize to millions of Nigerians both at home and in the Diaspora that they have fed with hogwash?

“Few days after the celebration of World Press Freedom Day, we daresay that this valuable freedom does not tantamount to liberty to mislead and hoodwink the populace through concocted and jejune publications.

“The Buhari administration will always respect and uphold press freedom, but the onus lies on those prone to passing off fiction as facts, to remember that freedom demands concomitant responsibility.

“Those who further share and disseminate falsehood are also encouraged to embrace responsible conduct.”

The president’s jet touched down at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport Abuja at 6.24 p.m.

The presidency had announced that he would be away for 10 days on a private visit to the United Kingdom.