Buhari extends vacation, writes NASS; Lai Mohammed refutes report on President’s return

President Muhammadu Buhari has written to the National Assembly (NASS) informing it of his desire to extend his leave in order to complete and receive the results of a series of tests recommended by his doctors.
A statement by President’s Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Mr Femi Adesina, said the president had since communicated his plan for the extension of the vacation to NASS on February 5.
“The President had planned to return to Abuja this evening, but was advised to complete the test cycle before returning. The notice has since been dispatched to the Senate President, and Speaker, House of Representatives.
“Mr. President expresses his sincere gratitude to Nigerians for their concern, prayers and kind wishes,” the statement said.
Buhari left Abuja for the United Kingdom on January 19 on a short leave, which is part of his annual vacation.
The President formally handed over mantle of leadership of the country to his deputy, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo.
Osinbajo has since been performing the functions of the Office of the President as stipulated in the constitution.
Meanwhile, Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, has said the report quoting him that Buhari’s return to Nigeria may be hampered by a faulty aircraft is fake.
The Minister stated this in a statement on Sunday in Ilorin by his Special Adviser, Mr Segun Adeyemi.
“The Minister has not spoken to anyone on the issue of the President’s return, hence this report is another from the stable of the purveyors of fake news,’’ he said.