President Muhammadu Buhari has notified the Senate of his intentions to extend his annual leave via a letter dated 5th February, 2017. In the letter that was read by the Senate President Sen. Bukola Saraki (APC:Kwara) at the plenary session of Tuesday, February 21st, 2017, President Buhari stated that he had taken the opportunity of his leave to carry out some routine check-ups and consult with his doctors in London, United Kingdom. According to President Buhari, since some test results indicated he required further medication, an extension of his vacation leave from 6th February, 2017, was needed until doctors were satisfied that certain factors were ruled out. He also informed the Senate that the Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osibanjo would continue to act on his behalf.
Following the announcement of the extension, Sen. Bukola Saraki who recently visited President Muhammadu Buhari with the Speaker, Rt. Hon. Yakubu Dogara (APC: Bauchi) and Senate Majority Leader Sen. Ahmed Lawan (APC: Yobe) at the Abuja House, London, mentioned that the President had expressed gratitude to Nigerians over their concerns on his health and conveyed his best wishes.
Although President Muhammadu Buhari had notified the Senate on his intention to extend his leave since 5th February, the National Assembly had been unable to officially communicate the contents of his letter since it had suspended plenary during that period to enable Ministries Departments and Agencies (MDAs) defend their budget allocations.
Prior to the letter seeking for an extension of his annual leave on health grounds, President Buhari had earlier communicated that his ten day annual leave would commence from 18th January, 2017 to 6th February, 2017. The notification of extension of leave does not indicate when he will return.
