TheCable

Lai Mohammed, minister of information and culture, says President Muhammadu Buhari is in “very competent hands” in London.

After making rare public appearance for weeks, Buhari left Nigeria for the UK on May 7.

Femi Adesina, his spokesman, announced that his principal, who had earlier spent 49 days in London, returned there for medical follow-up.

Speaking with state house correspondents after the federal executive council (FEC) meeting on Wednesday, Mohammed said there should be no cause for alarm over Buhari’s health.

“Once again, I want to make myself very clear on the issue of Mr President. He is in very competent hands and there is no cause for alarm,” he said.

Mohammed added that all the ministers were working with Udoma Udoma, their counterpart in the ministry of budget and national planning, to reconcile the 2017 budget.

“On the issue of budget, it is being reconciled and we are all coordinating with the minister of budget and national planning,” he said.

Acting President Yemi Osinbajo received the official copy of the 2017 appropriation on May 19.

TheCable gathered that Osinbajo would sign the budget at 9am on Thursday.

Ita Enang, senior special assistant to the president on legislative matters (senate), had earlier said the budget would be transmitted to Buhari for assent.

His statement fueled speculation that Osinbajo did not have executive power, and that a “cabal” was in control in the absence of the president.

However, Laolu Akande, senior special assistant on media and publicity to the acting president, reacted saying his principal would sign the budget when he is satisfied with it.