Expectations were high in Abuja, yesterday, that President Muhammadu Buhari might be on his way back from London, United Kingdom (UK), possibly today.

Buhari had left Nigeria on January 19 on a 10-day medical vacation in London and was expected back in the country on February 6. But at the expiration of the vacation, the President wrote the National Assembly, extending his stay indefinitely.

In the past few days, speculations have been rife that the President would return this weekend barring any last minute changes. This development prompted expectations on The Presidency and Abuja, the federal capital, yesterday.

The expectations heightened following the return, yesterday afternoon, of First Lady Aisha Buhari from a trip to Saudi Arabia for the Lesser Hajj. The Presidency had recently released photos of Aisha and Buhari in London, indicating that she visited her ailing husband on her way to Saudi Arabia.

Aisha, who arrived at about 3:15 p.m. on Saturday, was received by the wife of the Senate President, Mrs Toyin Saraki, former Deputy Governor of Plateau State, Mrs Pauline Tallen.

Also on hand to welcome the wife of the president are the wives of the service chiefs.

The wife of Chief of Army staff, Mrs Ummu Kulthum Buratai, Mrs Theresa Ibok Ibas, Mrs Omobolanle Olonishakin, Mrs Hafsat Sadiq and wife of Inspector General of Police, Mrs Asma’u Idris.

Also, at the Airport to welcome the wife of the president are the wives of the governors of Kebbi and Kogi, Mrs Zainab Bagudu and Mrs Rashidat Bello.

The wife of the President prayed for peace, stability and progress of Nigeria, even as she called for more support for her husband, shortly after her arrival at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja.

Mrs. Buhari urged Nigerians not to relent in their prayers and good deeds for Nigeria to prosper among the comity of nations. She expressed gratitude to God for the successful trip, and also prayed for Nigerian leaders and for peaceful co-existence of Nigerians.

“I thank God for a journey mercy, I prayed for Nigeria and Nigerian leaders and we should not relent in prayers and good deed,” she said.

She also expressed her gratitude to Nigerians for their support for President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration; urging them to sustain the tempo.

“I want to use this opportunity to thank all Nigerians for the goodwill and support for my husband and Nigeria in general,” she said.

•Pieced together from reports by Vanguard and NAN.