President Buhari with Prince Charles and Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby at Clarence House London, United Kingdom on 12th May 2016.Our publisher, Simon Ateba, attempts to provide answers to seven questions often asked about President Muhamadu Buhari, who has been on medical vacation in the United Kingdom since January 19.
- When did President Buhari travel to the United Kingdom and when was he supposed to return?
The President travelled to the United Kingdom on January 19 for what was described in a statement issued by his spokesman Femi Adesina as an annual vacation that would also include some routine medical tests. The President also wrote to the National Assembly informing the lawmakers that he was travelling to London but would resume work on February 6.
- But he did not return to Nigeria, what was his explanation?
The President on February 5 sent a letter to the Senate extending his leave. He told the lawmakers that he was advised by his medical team to stay back and complete his tests.
- So, when is he returning?
The President did not say exactly when he would return. In his last letter to the Senate he did not give any date. He simply said he had to stay back to complete his tests.
- What does the Nigerian constitution say about that?
The constitution is silent on that. It does not say a President should stay abroad for not less than a month, two months or six months. So effectively as long as the President has not been certified as incapacitated, it’s difficult to remove him from office.
- Do people know what he’s suffering from?
No, the President has not disclosed what he is suffering from.
- What does the law say about that?
According to the law, he is not mandated to disclose the nature of his illness.
Well, the President before he left for London transferred power to his vice, Yemi Osinbajo, who has been acting since that day and he has taken some bold actions, including visiting Niger Delta communities to prevent attacks on oil and gas installations. He also directed the Central Bank of Nigeria to release hundreds of millions of dollars to some banks to tackle the collapse of the Nigerian currency. So he’s most likely to continue acting until Mr. Buhari gets well and returns to power. Across the country, many people are doing what is left, they are praying for the President to return and resume work.