Professor Yemi Osinbajo will continue in his role as acting president, President Muhammadu Buhari has declared.
Buhari, who returned to the country on Friday morning after a 51-day medical leave in the United Kingdom, said he needed time to rest.
Speaking at a meeting with Osinbajo, members of the Federal Executive Council (FEC), service chiefs, heads of security agencies and others at the First Lady Conference Room upon his arrival to the Presidential Villa, Buhari expressed his gratitude to Nigerians who called and also prayed for him during his extended stay in London.
He also asked those planning to send a delegation to come and welcome him to stay back and continue to pray for the country, hinting that he would be doing follow-ups on his health in a few weeks.
Buhari, however, did not disclose his sickness.
“I couldn’t recall when last I had a blood transfusion,” he said.
“I deliberately came back towards the weekend so that the Vice President will continue and I will continue to rest,” Buhari added. “All I need is to do further follow-ups within some weeks.”
In Buhari’s absence, Osinbajo won plaudits for his proactive, hands-on approach in contrast to his boss’ slow style of leadership.
While he’s been in charge for just short of two months, Osinbajo has overseen a new currency policy which, while not as definitive as investors may have hoped, has had the desired effect of slowing down the naira’s slide against the dollar.
Osinbajo has also visited major oil-producing communities in Nigeria’s volatile south. With militancy resuming last year and hobbling productivity as well as government revenues, Osinbajo’s visits were seen as an important move to maintain a fragile peace.
