Nigerien president’s visit to Buhari postponed

Muhammadu Buhari

The visit of President Mahamadou Issoufou of Niger Republic to President Muhammadu Buhari scheduled for Friday, May 5, has been put forward, the Nigerian Presidency has announced.

A statement by Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina, late Thursday said the postponement is at the instance of President Issoufou who has another domestic engagement.

“All arrangements had been concluded for President Buhari to receive his Nigerien counterpart and his delegation at the forecourt of the Presidential Villa and attend the Juma’at prayers together as well as lunch, before the last-minute postponement.

“A new date for the visit will be announced in due course,” Adesina said.

Buhari himself has not been since he attended the Juma’at prayer at the Presidential Villa on April 21.

He has missed three consecutive Federal Executive Council (FEC) meetings while one did not hold.

Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed, says he is resting on doctor’s advice while there are reports that he meets some people behind closed door at his office in the Villa.