Speculation over Buhari's health mounts as he takes five days leave while in London

FRESH speculation have emerged over the health of President Muhammadu Buhari after it emerged that he has taken a five day holiday while in London and handed over to vice president Professor Yemi Osinbajo.

 

Earlier this week, President Buhari embarked upon a European tour involving him addressing the European Parliament in Strasbourg and attending an international conference on Syria in London. After the conference, however, his office put out a statement saying that the president will be embark on a five-day holiday between February 5 and 10.

 

Femi Adesina, President Buhari's spokesman, said that in compliance with Section 145 (1) of the Nigerian constitution, the president has formally written to the senate president and the speaker of the House of Representatives, informing them about his decision to go on annual leave. It is believed that President Buhari will spend the five days in a private London clinic, although his office is yet to confirm this.

 

Mr Adesina debunked the speculation, however, saying that only evil people who do not wish others well would be thinking like that. He remained adamant that there is absolutely no truth to the rumour, calling it groundless, adding that it should be disregarded.

 

Constitutional lawyer Caroline Ajie faulted the procedure of handing over power to the vice president without a letter transmitting it through the legislature, however, adding that the process was wrong. She expressed concern that the constitutionally laid down procedure that requires the president to transfer power to his vice through a letter transmitted to the legislature was not properly adhered to.

 

This is not the first time President Buhari will spend lengthy periods in the UK as last year, he visited twice before and after the elections. He spent several weeks on both occasions and the last time he visited, he returned to Nigeria just a few days before his swearing-in as president.

 

For now, the presidency is denying there is anything wrong with President Buhari but this is similar to the way it was initially denied that there was anything wrong with President Yar'Adua. During his London visit, President Buhari met with Nigerians residents in the UK briefly where he read out a speech, although he did not entertain questions.