Gowon in Aso Rock, prays for Buhari

FORMER Head of State, General Yakubu Gowon, on Tuesday met with President Muhammadu Buhari, praying that God would give the president the strength to deal with the nation’s problems.

Speaking to State House correspondents after the closed door meeting, Gowon also explained that he was at the Presidential Villa, Abuja to thank Buhari for condoling with him over the death of his sister.

“Day in day out, you read in the press of all sorts of things happening, God will give him continued strength and energy to be able to deal with the problems of the country for the good of Nigerians,” he said.

The former Nigerian leader recalled that following the death of his sister, Buhari who was in hospital in London called him, an act which according to him, helped to dispel rumour about the president’s death.

He said: “Let me tell you the honest truth, my coming here today is to thank and welcome Mr President back from his health issues and problems and to thank God for what He has done for him to have his health back, for him to be able to return back to work.

“The other thing also is to thank him very much indeed for ringing me from London when he was in London to commiserate with me on the death my sister.

“This was really very gracious of him. I should have rang to speak to him but of course since I know that he was in hospital, I could not do that.

“But when he rang to condole with me on my sister’s death, I was very touched and that also help Nigerians to rejoice especially those who were sending those very unfortunate message about him and about whatever it is.

“So, I think it was a good thing that was done and Nigerians knew he is still well for him to be able to ring.

“This is really the purpose of what brought me here. And then also to encourage him ‎to continue to do his work to the best of his ability dealing with all the problems.”

Gowon expressed happiness that Buhari was back saying: “I’m delighted to be here, to welcome him back and to see him in reasonable good health and able to do whatever he is able to do.”