Service chiefs meet in Aso rock

Three service chiefs were at the presidential villa in Abuja on Friday morning.

The service chiefs that visited the villa were Tukur Buratai, chief of army staff, Sadique Abubakar, chief of air staff and Ibok-Ete Ekwe Iba,  chief of naval staff.

It is not clear if the trio who left around 9am met with President Muhammadu Buhari.

Although not seen in public for a few weeks now, Buhari is said to be receiving briefings from key government officials.

Abubakar Malami, attorney-general of the federation, Maikanti Baru, group managing director (GMD) of the Nigerian National Petroleum Cooperation (NNPC) and Godwin Emefiele, governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), are believed to have met the president, but pictures or videos of the meetings were not made public.

Buhari’s absence at key government functions has fuelled speculations about his health, with critics mounting pressure on him to step down.

It is not clear if he will be at Aso Rock mosque for Juma’at service.

On Thursday, Femi Adesina, special adviser to the president on media and publicity, said there were plans for Buhari to attend Friday’s Juma’at service at the villa.

Adesina said this while announcing the rescheduling of the proposed visit of Nigerien President Mahamadou Issoufou to Buhari.

“All arrangements had been concluded for President Buhari to receive his Nigerien counterpart and his delegation at the forecourt of the presidential villa,” Adesina had said.

“The delegation and host had intended to attend the Juma’at prayers together as well as have lunch before the last-minute postponement.”