President Muhammadu Buhari today began a five-day vacation, to end on February 10, spokesman Femi Adesina said in a press statement.
He further stated that the president, complying with Section 145 (1) of the constitution, sent a formal notice to the Senate President and the Speaker of the House of Representatives.
Vice President Yemi Osinbajo will perform the functions of the President during his absence.
A SaharaReporters source had earlier revealed that during his visit to the United Kingdom, President Buhari will undertake a visit to medical doctors in a London hospital.
Our presidency source said President Buhari agreed to participate in a Syrian solidarity that ended yesterday because it provides a perfect cover for the medical visit.
The source further said there has been a debate within the presidency about the medical visit, with some of his handlers arguing that the Syria meeting provides a perfect alibi as the President should not be seen to be sick less than one year after taking power.
It might be recalled that following the six-week postponement of the presidential election, Mr. Buhari spent a prolonged period in London, reportedly to rest. He subsequently spent another nine days in London to meet with his doctors, returning only one day before his inauguration.
According to the current schedule, President Buhari will return home next weekend if everything goes well.
SaharaReporters had revealed that Mr. Buhari’s personal physician, Suhayb Sanusi Rafindadi, has been playing a prominent role in preparing him for foreign trips in recent months.
Upon his return from London, the President will embark on another trip to the Middle East, visiting Egypt, Qatar and Saudi Arabia.