Buhari goes on annual leave, Osinbajo becomes acting President

President Muhammadu Buhari on Thursday left Nigeria for the United Kingdom for what the Presidency described as “ a short leave . ”
According to a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity , Mr . Femi Adesina , the President would during the vacation undergo “routine medical check - up . ”
He said Buhari was expected to resume work on February 6 . The medical check - up was the third by the President in one year .
He had earlier embarked on a six -day vacation between February 5 and 10 , 2016 when he remained in London .
On June 6 , 2016 , he embarked on another 10 - day vacation to attend to an ear infection.
During his vacation in June , last year , there were reports that he had an infection in his left ear , otherwise called Meniere Disease.
Buhari , according to a letter to the National Assembly , is supposed to begin the vacation on Monday , but the President left for the UK on Thursday .
The President had directed the Vice-President , Prof . Yemi Osinbajo, to take over in his absence .
But as of the time Buhari was leaving the country however , Osinbajo, was leading the Federal Government’ s delegation at the World Economic Forum holding in Davos , Switzerland.
The Vice - President is expected back in the country on Friday.
The Presidency , in the statement on Thursday stated, “President Muhammadu Buhari leaves for the United Kingdom today on a short leave , which is part of his annual vacation . He is expected to resume work on February 6 , 2017 .
“ During the vacation , the President will also undergo routine medical check - ups .
“ In line with Section 145 (1 ) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended ) , the President of the Senate, and Speaker , House of Representatives , have been duly communicated .
“ While away, the Vice President , Prof Yemi Osinbajo, will perform the functions of the Office of the President . ”
The last public event attended by Buhari was the grand finale of the 2017 Armed Forces Remembrance Day held at the National Arcade , Abuja .
He appeared briefly in his office on Monday .
On Tuesday , he granted audience to the Cross Rivers State Governor , Prof . Ben Ayade, in his residence .
The President also cancelled a scheduled meeting of the Federal Executive Council on Wednesday and remained in his residence throughout .
While Buhari ’ s convoy vehicles were lining up in his residence for his take - off at about 12 noon, his wife , Aisha , was granting audience to the co - chair of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation , Melinda , at the First Lady ’ s Wing of the Presidential Villa, Abuja .
Buhari in the letter to the National Assembly on Thursday gave notification on the 10 - day “ working leave , ” effective January 23 .
In the House of Representatives , the letter was addressed to the Speaker , Mr . Yakubu Dogara .
However , Dogara was not in chambers on Thursday , paving the way for the Deputy Speaker , Mr . Yussuff Lasun , to read the President ’ s letter to members.
Buhari , in an interview with selected journalists on Thursday said there was nothing wrong in him embarking on a short vacation as announced in a statement by the Presidency earlier 0 n Thursday .
Buhari , who spoke shortly before leaving the Presidential Wing of the Nnamdi Azikwe International Airport , Abuja for London , United Kingdom .
“ What is wrong with going on vacation ? Didn ’ t I go last year at the same time ?” the President asked rhetorically .
His Special Adviser on Media and Publicity , Mr . Femi Adesina , also said there was nothing to worry about over the development.
The presidential spokesman said , “ The President is going to rest. You know that God did work of creation for six days and on the seventh day , he rested . So if God needed to rest, how much more human being ?
“ So , the President is just going to rest and the statement we have released is straight forward. He will go on this leave and during the leave ; he will do routine medical checkups . ”
The Chief of Defence Staff, Gabriel Olonishakin , told journalists that he led service chiefs to give the President security briefing “ on our operations within and outside the country especially our involvement with the ECOWAS standby force” before he jetted out of the country.