President Muhammadu Buhari has met with the leaders of the ruling All Progressives Congress and the opposition Peoples Democratic Party.
It was the first bipartisan meeting ever presided over by Buhari.
President Buhari thanked the leaders for attending the meeting. He also thanked those who prayed for his recovery while in the U.K. for medical treatment. The meeting, which started around 11.10a.m., was still ongoing as of the time of filing this report.
The vice-president, Yemi Osinbajo, chairman of the APC, John Odigie-Oyegun, and the caretaker chairman of the PDP, Ahmed Makarfi, is attending it.
Other APC members attending the meeting include the National Legal Adviser of the APC, Muiz Banire, Olorunnimbe Mamora, Tony Momoh, former Senate President, Ken Nnamani, amongst others.
Those from the PDP are Ben obi and other members of the caretaker committee.
NAN reliably learnt that the meeting would discuss socio-political issues especially the problem of hate speech and the prevailing security situation in the country.
Here is the President’s short speech:
I thank you sincerely, collectively and individually for finding time from your busy schedules to come all the way to Abuja and welcome me back home.
This visit signifies the unity of Nigeria. It is not a party occasion. It is not a political gathering. It is a symbol of our National unity. It is also an expression of the maturity of our democracy.
Multi-party democracy is a very tried and tested form of government. Opposition does not mean hostility, enmity or antagonism. Democracy needs opposition, one which is vibrant but responsible.
I am very pleased to see you assembled here all shades of opinion in Nigeria. Please convey to our countrymen and women in your respective states my deep gratitude to all those who prayed for my recovery. I am imploring all Nigerians to continue praying for peace and prosperity in Nigeria.
Buhari and Markafi
PDP’s Ahmed Markafi to Buhari: “It is on record, Mr. President, that while you were away, being the major opposition party in the country did not stop us from praying for your quick recovery and return to Nigeria. This is because we honestly believe that the President of our country, whatever party flag he or she flies, is our president; and his or her health is substantially linked with the nation’s health in so many ways.
“So, a prayer for your health, Mr President, we believe is a prayer for the good health of our country. This was why at several fora, we did, and enjoined others, irrespective of party affiliation, to pray for your quick recovery. It is a thing of joy, that Allah has answered our prayers
“In any case, this PDP firmly believes that opposition is no madness; it will therefore never wish ill of anybody, let alone the person saddled with the responsibility of leading our country.
“Mr President, you will agree with me that the PDP has more than a fair knowledge and experience of the weight of that responsibility.”
Buhari On Osinbajo: “The efforts by the Vice President were commendable. He used his intellect to run all over 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 to thank him personally for what he has done.”
“I am very happy with the national prayers that cut across religions and ethnicity; people were praying.
Buhari on Nigerian protesters In London: “In fact, some groups in London came and sang the national anthem and asked that I should go back home. Indeed, I have come back home. I hope those who went there are not stuck there; they will come back and join us.
“Those that are stuck there with the Brexit, I hope they have weighed the implications that it won’t affect them, including those that have property there.
“Those who are not paying tax here, I hope when they sell their property there, they will bring some of the money here. We need it very badly here.”
After the Juma’at prayers, President Buhari later met with state governors, led by Chairman of Governors Forum, Abdulaziz Yari.
Buhari with governors Aregbesola, (Osun), Akeredolu, (Ondo), Amosun, (Ogun) Masari, (Katsina) and Ganduje, (Kano)
Buhari with Ajimobi, (Oyo) and Okowa, (Delta)
