President Buhari extends his vacation in UK, writes National Assembly

President Muhammadu Buhari has written to the National Assembly today, February 5, 2017, informing of his desire to extend his leave in order to complete and receive the results of a series of tests recommended by his doctors. 

Buhari left Nigeria in January for London to “undergo routine medical check-ups” during a short holiday and was expected to resume work on February 6.

But his spokesman, Femi Adesina, in a statement on Sunday said the president extended the vacation on the advice of his doctors.


He, however, did not say when the president would return to Nigeria.

“The President had planned to return to Abuja this (Sunday) evening but was advised to complete the test cycle before returning. The notice has since been dispatched to the Senate President, and Speaker, House of Representatives,” Adesina said in a statement.

“Mr. President expresses his sincere gratitude to Nigerians for their concern, prayers and kind wishes.”

Mr. Buhari's current visit to London is the second time in less than a year he has gone there for medical treatment.

He visited London in June 2016 for treatment to what the presidency described as a persistent inner ear infection.

The presidency has denied rumours that Mr. Buhari is dead. Pictures of him in London have also been published by his aides.