TheCable

Dave Umahi, governor of Ebonyi state, says he is not sure of when President Muhammadu Buhari will return to the country because he is not treating “mere malaria”.

Umahi is one of the seven governors, from the All Progressives Congress (APC) and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), who visited Buhari in London on Wednesday.

Speaking with PUNCH after the visit, he said the president’s recuperation is going on smoothly, as opposed to the things said by “naysayers”.

“We met a cheerful president whose level of recovery is a miracle. We know he will soon return home as soon as his doctors certify him to do so. What he’s treating is not mere malaria that we can say he will return today or tomorrow,” he said.

“However, we are happy and we thank God for what we saw. It is contrary to the pictures people are painting on the social media. The president we saw is recuperating well and we are happy for that.

“It is even better that, we as members of the opposition party, are among the entourage. Nigerians should continue to pray for the president.”

Umahi’s statement contradicts that of Rochas Okorocha, his Imo state counterpart, who said it is possible for the president to return in two weeks.

Buhari has been receiving medical attention in London for the past 80 days.

Three days ago, John Oyegun, APC chairman, led a delegation that visited the president.