Buhari, others visit Spain amidst APC Presidential Screening

Mohammadu Buhari, the President of Nigeria has left for Madrid, today, 31 May, 2022 on an official visit to Pedro Sanchez, Spanish President.

Femi Adesina, the Presidential Spokesman announced through a statement titled ‘President Mohammadu Buhari leaves on a State visit to Spain’.

Buhari’s visit took place in the middle of the ruling All Progressive Congress Presidential screening in Abuja. He had also been in a meeting with the party’s governor’s before departing for Spain.

The President was escorted by Geoffrey Onyeama, Minister of Foreign Affairs; Abubakar Malami (SAN), Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice; Otunba Adeniyi Adebayo, Minster of Industry, Trade and Investment.

Others include, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, Minister of Information and Culture; Rauf Aregbesola, Minister of Interior; Sunday Dare, Minister of Youths and Sports Development; and Olorunnimbe Mamora, Minister of State for Health.

Major-General Babagana Monguno (Rtd), The National Security Adviser; Amb. Ahmed Rufa’i Abubakar, Director General, National Intelligence Agency; and Abike Dabiri- Erewa, Chairman, Nigeria in Diaspora Commission, also accompanied the president.

At the time of his appointment with both presidents, Adesina said:
“President Buhari will converse issues of common interest to both countries which will hopefully lead to signing of Agreements and Memoranda of Understanding on a wide selection of topics designed towards improving the bilateral relations between the two Countries.”

Such topics include Cultural Matters, Mutual Legal Assistance, Extradition and transfer of convicted criminals, Cooperation towards fighting crime and improving security and issues affecting dependants of diplomatic Staff.

Trade and Investment, Cooperation on Energy, Transportation, Public Health and Sports Development are also included in the schedule.

Buhari would return to Nigeria on June 3, Adesina said.

According to the News Agency of Nigeria, the All Progressive Congress Presidential screening commenced on Monday, 30 May and is considered to end Tuesday, 31 May 2022.

The candidates were screened by a committee chaired by John Odigie-Oyegun, a former National Chairman of the APC. They were asked on 10 key issues including their dual citizenship position.

Those who were screened on Monday include; Former governor of Lagos State, Ahmed Bola Tinubu; governor of Ebonyi state, Dave Umahi; governor of Jigawa State, Badaru Abubakar; Emeka Nwajiuba, former Minister of State for Education; Senator Ajayi Boroffice, an Ondo-North Lawmaker; Pastor Tunde Bakare and Mrs Uju Kennedy-Ohanenye.

Those to be screened on Tuesday include Yemi Osibanjo,Vice President of Nigeria and Rotimi Amaechi, Former Transportation Minister; among others.

Last week, the APC had postponed their presidential primary to June 6-8. It was planned initially to hold on May 28 and 29 but was postponed due to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) extending the deadline for parties to submit the names of their presidential candidates for the general elections in 2023.

The PDP had made known their Presidential candidate to be Atiku Abubakar, former vice president who is from Adamawa in North-Eastern Nigeria on Saturday while Nigerians are still expecting the ruling APC candidate amidst Southern Presidency Controversy.