11 days and counting, Buhari remains in Daura for a previously announced 7-day holiday

On Friday, December 11, 2020, President Muhammadu Buhari landed in his hometown, Daura, Katsina State to start a one-week long private visit. 

The announcement was made in a statement issued by the Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity to the President, Mallam Garba Shehu on the same day. 

“President Muhammadu Buhari is in Daura, Katsina for a week-long private visit. The aircraft carrying the President from Abuja landed at 4:45 pm on Friday at the Umaru Musa Yar’Adua International Airport in Katsina,” the presidency had said

“While in Daura, President Buhari will carry out a number of private engagements, but he is expected to participate virtually in the meeting of the Federal Executive Council (FEC) on Wednesday, to be presided over by the Vice President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo (SAN),” the statement said. 

However, today, December 21 makes it 11 days since the president went on his 7-day vacation and is yet to return to the Presidential villa. The presidency is yet to release a statement on why the president has extended his holiday.

Concerns about the president’s extended holiday is not unconnected to the absence of the first lady at the presidential villa. While some reports say that she fled the Aso rock because of insecurity, in a recent statement her aide said that she went for a medical checkup in Dubai. 

Recall that in February 2017, the president spent a total of 50 for an initial 10-days leave. Later that year, he spent 104 away on medical vacation.