The presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), General Mohammadu Buhari (rtd.), has returned to Nigeria after almost two weeks in the United Kingdom, declaring himself physically and mentally fit.

Buhari thus dismissed claims by First Lady Patience Jonathan and President Goodluck Jonathan’s campaign spokesman Femi Fani-Kayode that he is brain dead. There have also been widespread claims that the General secretly underwent medical treatment in the UK.

Buhari had left Nigeria on Thursday, February 19, 2015 for London. His only known public campaign activity was his appearance at the Royal Institute of Internal Affairs (popularly called Chatham House) London on Thursday, February 26, where he delivered a lecture.

Upon his arrival at about 5:40 a.m. today aboard a British Airways flight, Buhari, who was clad in a black flowing gown with a flash of white shirt on the collar, was ushered into the hands of waiting Journalists who had been keeping vigil at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja.

Asked whether he went abroad to seek medical attention, Buhari said he took some time off the campaigns to get some rest.

“I just went off for a couple of weeks to rest. That’s all I did,” he said.

Pressed further by Journalists on whether he ever visited any hospital while holidaying in UK, he said: “What is wrong for me to go the hospital? Am I not here now? Aren’t you seeing me? Are you seeing a sick man?”

Also, on his appearance at the Chatham House, the APC presidential candidate said “I went to Chatham House. I read an address and there was a question and answer session. That’s all.”

Buhari who was accompanied back by his deputy campaign director-general, Senator Olurumbe Mamora was as well welcomed by a horde of other APC chieftains and supporters at the airport.

•Adapted from a Vanguard report. Photo shows Buhari.