“Return or Resign” protest didn’t force Buhari’s return ―Presidency

THE Presidency on Saturday denied that the “Return or Resign” protest group led by Charles Oputa, popularly known as Charly Boy, forced President Muhammadu Buhari to return prematurely to the country from his medical vacation in the United Kingdom (U.K.).

The group has recently conducted a sit out protest at the Unity Fountain, Abuja, at times, having confrontation with security agencies as they demanded the president’s return to country or resign if he could no  to continue in office.

The protest came to a head when the group’s U.K. branch organised a night vigil on Friday night in front of Abuja House, London, where the president was residing and using public address system, also demanded his return home or his resignation.

But early on Saturday morning, the Presidency issued a statement that Buhari would be returning to Nigeria later that day having recovered from his illness.

Speaking to State House correspondents at the Presidential Wing of the Nnamdi International Airport, Abuja while awaiting the arrival of the president, Presidential spokesman, Femi Adesina, noted that Buhari’s return was not influenced by the protest.

He said the president returned to Nigeria to continue with the work ha had started.

He said the date of Buhari’s return was known to some officials in the Presidency.

Adesina said: “The return of the President has nothing to do with the protest. It is about continuing with the work he started. Some of us knew about his return some days back.

“Remember that the acting President held on effectively and they will continue the work together.

“We left the work of announcement with the managers of the acting President.”

Meanwhile, the main opposition party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has joined other Nigerians to welcome back the President Buhari to the country from his medical sojourn in London.

A statement issued by the National Publicity Secretary of the party, Prince Dayo Adeyeye, in Abuja on Saturday, expressed the belief that Buhari was healthier now to continue with his job.

The state said: “We believe that Mr President is healthier now to assume his responsibility at the helm of the Country’s affairs.

“We thank the Almighty for saving his life and pray that He grants him better health and understanding on how to rescue our poor economy and relieve Nigerians from the current hardship.”