President Buhari To Depart For Gambia On Wednesday

The President of Nigeria, Muhammadu Buhari will on Wednesday travel to the Gambia to attend the second-term inauguration of Adama Barrow as the President of Gambia.

Naija News understands Buhari will be attending the event based on an invitation from his Gambian counterpart.

This was disclosed in a statement on Tuesday by the President’s senior special assistant on media and publicity, Mallam Garba Shehu.

The statement said: “On the invitation of his host, President Buhari will be special guest of honour at the ceremonies to be attended by other African leaders at Independence Stadium, Bakau.’’

Some top government officials who will be on President Buhari’s entourage for the trip to the Gambia include: the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr Geoffrey Onyeama; National Security Adviser, Retired Maj.-Gen. Babagana Monguno; Director-General, National Intelligence Agency, Amb. Ahmed Rufai, and others.

The president is expected back in the country at the end of the inauguration ceremonies.

In other news, Senate President Ahmad Lawan on Tuesday stated that President Muhammadu Buhari has not given any order on the removal of petroleum subsidy.

Speaking to State House correspondents after a meeting with President Buhari, Lawan said lawmakers were concerned over the different protests and agitation currently rocking the nation which has led to discussions with the president.

He said: “Well, it will be of interest to Nigerians to hear what I’ve come to discuss with Mr President among several other things.

“Many of us are very concerned with the recent agitations, protests, and many citizens were so concerned, our constituents across the country are very concerned that the federal government will remove the petroleum subsidy. And for us, as parliamentarians, as legislators representing the people of Nigeria, this must be of interest to us.

“And we’ve just finished our recess, we had gone home to our constituencies and senatorial districts. And will feel the pulse of our people. And I found it necessary to visit Mr President, as the leader of our government and our leader in the country, to discuss this particular issue of concern to Nigerians, and I’m happy to inform Nigerians that Mr President never told anyone that the petroleum subsidy should be removed.”