“I thank you for prayers and concerns for my health”: Buhari to Nigerians

• As Saraki takes Dogara, Lawan to visit Buhari in London

President Muhammadu Buhari last night expressed his gratitude to Nigerians for their prayers, kind wishes and concerns shown on his personal health.

In a tweet @MBuhari after he met with the leadership of the National Assembly; Senate President Bukola Saraki, House of Representatives Speaker Yakubu Dogara and Senate Leader Ahmad Lawan, at the Abuja House in London.

The President at 9.20pm yesterday wrote: “I thank them for visiting. I’m also grateful to Nigerians, Christians and Muslims alike, for their prayers and kind wishes on my health.”

President Buhari is on vacation and routine medical check-up in the United Kingdom.

He left the country on January 19 on a 10-day vacation, which was extended on doctors’ advice.

The delegation left the country yesterday morning, without Deputy House of Representatives Speaker Yusuff Lasun, who could not make the trip.

Lasun’s spokesman Wole Oladimeji said the deputy speaker was held back by a meeting of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) parliament going on in Abuja.

It was learnt that the visit was at the instance of President Buhari, who reportedly asked the Senate president to come over to London for a “discussion,” which was not disclosed.

The Senate President was said to have been favourably disposed to the invitation.

It was not clear how Dogara and Lawan became part of the trip.

A source said Dogara was requested to be part of the trip by the Senate President.

The delegation arrived at the Nigerian High Commission official residence Abuja House in West London, where the President is staying, at about 8pm (Nigerians time)

President Buhari tweeted shortly after: “Pleased to receive Senate President Bukola Saraki, Speaker Yakubu Dogara and Senate leader Ahmad Lawan tonight.’

Details of what they discussed were being awaited last night.

The National Assembly presiding officers last Wednesday said they had telephone conversations with the President

The visit of the principal officers  to London followed last week’s visit by All Progressives Congress (APC) stalwart Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu and erstwhile interim Chairman of the APC Chief Bisi Akande.