Anxiety as Buhari jets out to UK, misses pre-inauguration prayer

There was palpable tension among members of the APC and other worshippers on Friday, as the Muhammadu Buhari missed the pre-inaugural prayers scheduled for the National Mosque. The president-elect had jetted out to the United Kingdom in what his party described as a well-deserved rest.

The special Juma’at prayer was the first activity in a series of events to mark the beginning of the week long activities leading to his inauguration on May 29. Him missing such an important event has raised concerns, especially over his health status.

In a statement issued in Abuja same day by the President-elect’s Media Team, Mallam Garba Shehu said: “Buhari left for Britain on a private visit. He will use the opportunity of the visit to take a much-deserved rest ahead of his inauguration on May 29th.

‘’He is expected back in the country a few days before the inauguration, refreshed and ready to hit the ground running once he is sworn into office,’’ he said.

At the mosque, when it became obvious that the president-elect was not available, former Vice President, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar and chieftains of the APC, stepped into the mosque saying he was Buhari’s representative at the special service.

Speaking, he said “I am here with some of the governors that accompanied me to represent the president-elect who is unavoidable absent. The prayers have gone on very well. We are grateful for all the support and cooperation of all Nigerians. We have prayed to have a successful transfer of power on the inauguration day which is on May 29 insha Allah.”

Meanwhile, there was a mild drama at the Nnamdi Azikwe International Airport, Abuja on Friday, as the Minister of Petroleum Resources, Mrs. Diezani Alison-Madueke, ran to catch up with Buhari.

Both Buhari and the minister reportedly travelled out of the country to London on a British Airways flight that left the airport at about 4.30am on its way to Heathrow Airport.

But while Buhari was going to board his flight, a mild drama took place at the airport. Sources, who witnessed the drama, said that the minister raced in a bid to catch up with Buhari, who had undergone airport screening before her.

It was learnt that the President-elect, who reportedly arrived the airport before the minister, was cleared first and he went straight into the aircraft. And that when Diezani arrived the airport and got news that Buhari had already boarded the flight, she hurriedly ran to enter the plane, leaving her aides behind.

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