Buhari in Daura on Private Visit

 

A day after putting up a no-show at the Green Chamber where he was scheduled to ddress a  joint session of the National Assembly over the worsening security crisis in the country, President Muhammadu Buhari has left Abuja for Daura, his hometown. 

The House of Reprsentatives had in reaction to the recent massacre of over 70 farmers in Borno state invited the President to interact with the lawmakers on the security challenges facing the country. 

According to the Speaker, Femi Gbajabiamila, the President agreed in principle to address the lawmakers. 

While it later became public knowledge  that the President would address the two chambers on Thursday, governors of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) however reportedly advised him to shun the Chambers to avoid being heckled by opposition lawmakers. 

The Attorney General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami, also issued a statement and accused the lawmakers of going beyond their constitutional limits to invite President Buhari, giving the clearest indication that the President won't appear. 

As the lawmakers waited for the President in vain during Thursday plenary, the Speaker said they will continue to wait for any form  of communication from the Presidency. 

At the time of filing this report, the President has not explained his reasons for shunning the lawmakers and is yet to send any letter to the National Assembly to explain his absence. 

Meanwhile, the President has travelled to Daura, Katsina state where he is expected to spend the whole week with his kith and kin. 

The aircraft carrying the President from Abuja landed at 4:45pm on Friday at the Umaru Musa Yar’Adua International Airport in Katsina where he was received by the Governor, Aminu Bello Masari, his deputy, Mannir Yakubu, senior government officials and the heads of security agencies in the state.

In Daura to receive President Buhari at the helipad were the Emir, His Highness Alhaji Umar Faruk Umar, leading the members of the Emirate Council and a parade of colourful horse riders and courtiers.

On his arrival, the President received the gift of a horse and a decorated sword in his capacity as Bayajiddan Daura from the Emir.

According to his spokesman, Garba Shehu, while in Daura, President Buhari will carry out a number of undisclosed private engagements but is expected to participate virtually in the meeting of the Federal Executive Council next Wednesday, to be presided over by the Vice President Yemi Osinbajo.

The President last visited his hometown in December 2019, having stayed away largely due to the COVID-19 situation.