President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan will leave Abuja early Friday on what was called “a private visit” to Germany.

The President will be accompanied on the trip by some of his principal aides, according to a statement by Reuben Abati, the special adviser on media and publicity.

He is expected back in Abuja early next week.

Last year December, President Jonathan paid a similar private visit to Germany triggering speculations about the  state of health of the nation’s first family, especially as Mrs. Jonathan had reportedly had surgery in Germany.