By; Sunday Ode & Joshua Egbodo, Abuja.
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President Muhammadu Buhari on Thursday left for the United Kingdom on a three-week vacation.
A statement by the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina said Buhari would use the period to undergo routine medical check-ups.
According to the statement, the three weeks is part of the President’s annual leave.
The statement noted also that the National Assembly leadership had been duly notified in accordance with the provisions of the constitution.
The terse statement read: “President Muhammadu Buhari leaves for the United Kingdom today on a short leave, which is part of his annual vacation. He is expected to resume work on February 6, 2017.
“During the vacation, the President will also undergo routine medical check-ups.
“In line with Section 145 (1) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), the President of the Senate, and Speaker, House of Representatives, have been duly communicated.
“While away, the Vice President, Prof Yemi Osinbajo, will perform the functions of the Office of the President.”
The President has written the National Assembly, notifying it on his decision to proceed on the 10 day vacation which he explained will commence from Monday 23rd January, 2017.
The President in the letter dated 18th January, 2017 which was read to members at both chambers of the National Assembly, explained that Vice President Yemi Osinbajo will perform his functions in acting capacity.
“In compliance with section 145(1) of the 1999 constitution (as amended), I wish to inform the Honourable House that I will be away on a 10 working day short vacation as part of my 2017 annual leave, from Monday 23rd January to Monday 6th February 2017 and while I am away, the Vice President will perform the functions of my office,” the letter read.
President Buhari had returned to Nigeria Saturday night after a strenuous two day visits to The Gambia and Mali to mediate in the electoral dispute rocking the West African country and participate in a summit respectively.
The current leave is the second time that the President will be proceeding on medical vacation in just one year.
