Nigeria: VP Osibanjo in charge as Buhari takes medical leave

Length of Buhari’s absence to be determined by doctors

Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari is on leave to undergo further medical tests. According to his office, he has handed over power to his deputy Yemi Osibanjo.

Buhari, 74, returned to office 2 months ago after receiving medical treatment. Officials have refused to disclose details of his medical condition.

The president met on Sunday a group of 82 girls who had been released after being held captive for 3 years by the al-Qaeda-linked Boko Haram Islamist militants, but he did not attend a cabinet meeting last Wednesday.
That was his 3rd consecutive absence from the weekly meeting chaired by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo.

According to the statement from the president’s office, the length of Buhari’s absence would be determined by the doctors.
“Government will continue to function normally under the able leadership of the vice president,” it said, adding that there was no cause for worry.

The president’s office said Buhari had notified both chambers of parliament of his absence, putting Osinbajo formally in charge.

Osinbajo, a lawyer, has played an active role in driving policy changes, chairing cabinet meetings during the president’s medical leave.

Officials have sought to avoid a scenario seen in 2010 when political infighting broke out when then-President Umaru Yar’Adua was sick for months.

Osinbajo was already given full powers to act during Buhari’s previous absence, in contrast to his predecessor Goodluck Jonathan who only took over after Yar’Adua’s death in 2010 ended a power vacuum.

Source: Reuters