Fashola, Dambazau accompany Buhari to G7 summit

President Muhammadu Buhari on Sunday left Nigeria to attend the G7 Summit which begins in Bavaria, Germany on Sunday.

According to a statement by his spokesman, Garba Shehu, the Nigerian president was accompanied by Governor Kashim Shettima of Borno State, former Lagos State Governor, Babatunde Fashola, and former Chief of Army Staff, Abdulrahman Dambazau and other officials.

Although Mr. Buhari is yet to appoint his cabinet since he was sworn in on May 29, Messrs. Fashola and Dambazau have been tipped to be nominated as ministers with the latter tipped to be appointed as either the Defense Minister or National Security Adviser.

Mr. Shehu had stated on Saturday that Mr. Buhari was invited to the G7 summit before he was sworn into office.

“The invitation is a clear indication of the international community’s willingness to cooperate with the new government of Nigeria,” he said.

He added that President Buhari would not be participating in the main meetings, since Nigeria is not a member of the G7 group.

“He is in a group of seven other Heads of State who were called in as guests. He will equally be holding key side meetings with some of the seven Heads of State who will be convened at the summit.

“The international community is obviously acknowledging Nigeria’s significant role in global affairs,” Mr. Garba said, “especially with the recent change in government.”