Osinbajo Presides Over FEC Meeting As Buhari Absent From Public For Fourth Day

Vice President Yemi Osinbajo stands next to the empty seat of the President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd) at the weekly Federal Executive Council meeting held at the State House, Abuja, on Wednesday.

Vice President Yemi Osinbajo is currently presiding over the Federal Executive Council meeting, even as the President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.), has not made a public appearance since his aides announced his departure from New York, where he had attended the 76th Session of the United Nations General Assembly.

Buhari, according to the News Agency of Nigeria, “returned” on September 26, 2021, but no photographs of the President arriving at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, were posted on social media by his media handlers, as has been the norm.

Rather, his last public photographs were posted by social media aide, Buhari Sallau, via his Facebook page on Saturday, September 25, announcing the President’s departure “for Abuja.”

There has been no statement from the Presidency regarding the retired General’s return to the country, except for a report by the government-owned News Agency of Nigeria titled, ‘UNGA-76: Buhari returns with special assignment from World body.’

However, a source in the Presidency confided that Mr. President had been in isolation, in line with COVID-19 protocols, since he returned from the 76th UNGA.

Meanwhile, his aides have continued to post congratulatory messages and birthday wishes on the President’s behalf; as well as the activities of members of his cabinet, including those of the Federal Minister of Works and Housing, Babatunde Fashola; and vice-president Osinbajo, among others.