President Muhammad Buhari has again eulogised the strong leadership role played by his Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo during his medical vacation in London, stressing that the law professor used his intellect to run the country.
Buhari, who had earlier joined Muslim faithful at the Juma’at service inside a mosque near his office, said he monitored Osinbajo’s activities on the television while away.
He described Osinbajo’s performance during the period as commendable and explained that he invited him to London so that he could thank him for his efforts.
He said, “The efforts by the Vice-President were commendable. He used his intellect to run the place. I was seeing him 24 hours on the Nigerian Television Authority.
“I congratulated him and I allowed him to come and see me (in order) to thank him personally for what he has done.”
Buhari said he was pleased with the performance of the state governors based on the information available to him through the media and commended them for their achievements, especially in agriculture and solid minerals.
The President, however, attributed the success recorded in agriculture to Nigerians’ inability to buy foreign food.
“I am very pleased with the states, you are all doing your best and you are lucky your best is proving to be good enough for the agriculture and solid minerals (sectors). You are succeeding in agriculture because I think people cannot afford foreign food,” he said.
The Ebonyi State Governor, Dave Umahi, thanked Buhari for his support to states, saying without it, it would have been difficult for state governors to cope.
He mentioned the budget support, Paris Club refunds, and the agriculture sector supports as some of the areas where Buhari had intervened.
“Without this assistance, it would have been difficult for us to cope. You have treated all governors equally, irrespective of party affiliations,” the governor said.
Plateau State Governor, Simon Lalong, in an interview with the State House correspondents, expressed joy on Buhari’s return and prayed that God would continue to guide him.
“With him back, everything is taking shape again. This is not to say the Vice-President was not doing well as Acting President; we must commend him.
“In the absence of the President, there was no vacuum because the Acting President filled in the gap and did his best up to this moment and showed absolute loyalty, both to the nation and Mr. President,” the governor said.
Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello, said the meeting afforded the governors the opportunity to welcome the President.
“Our President went to take care of his health and now he is back healthy and healthier than before. We are here to appreciate him. We thank the Almighty God that he is back safely. We equally thank his able lieutenant, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, who held the country firm in his absence,” he said.
