Presidency debunks claims Buhari has written to National Assembly asking to extend his UK holiday

PRESIDENCY officials have debunked stories that President Muhammadu Buhari has written to the National Assembly informing legislators of his plans to extend his 10-day holiday in the UK.

On August 3, President Buhari left Nigeria for London, explaining that he was going to the UK for a 10-day holiday. In line with the dictates of the constitution, he wrote to the National Assembly, informing legislators that he is handing over the reins of power to vice president Professor Yemi Osinbajo.

Since then, Professor Osinbajo has been serving as acting president but with the 10 days lapsed and no sign of President Buhari, it has been rumoured that the president intends to extend his holiday. Yesterday, night, stories appeared on several social media platforms that President Buhari was planning to stay beyond his scheduled time.

However,  in a swift reaction, the presidency via its official Twitter handle @NGRPresident, noted that a story published by Tribune Online, on February 5, 2017 is currently being mischievously circulated on social media platforms, to create the impression that it’s related to the president’s current vacation. It warned the public to kindly take note of the date, 2017, pointing out that this has nothing to do with his current holiday.

“The President has not extended his ongoing 10-working-day vacation,” the presidency said.

Last year, President Buhari extended his stay in London, saying he was awaiting the results of health tests. He subsequently write to the National Assembly informing them of his desire to extend his leave in order to complete and receive the results of a series of tests recommended by his doctors.