Nigeria’s President Buhari is recuperating fast, wife says

By Felix Onuah | Reuters |

Nigeria’s President Muhammadu Buhari is expected to fly home from London and arrive back in the country on Saturday, two presidency sources said, ending his second long break for medical leave in Britain this year.

Buhari left Abuja on May 7 and handed over power to his deputy, Yemi Osinbajo, seeking to allay concerns of a void at the helm of Africa’s biggest economy.

The president, 74, traveled to Britain last month for what his office described as medical tests. Officials have refused to disclose details of his medical condition. His first absence began in January and lasted nearly two months.

His wife Aisha Buhari, in a statement issued by State House, expressed appreciation for the support of Nigerians and said “he will soon be with them as he is recuperating fast”.

Buhari’s unhealthy start to 2017:

19 January – Leaves for UK on “medical vacation”
5 February – Asks parliament to extend medical leave
10 March – Returns home but does not resume work immediately
26 April – Misses second cabinet meeting and is “working from home”
28 April – Misses Friday prayers
3 May – Misses third cabinet meeting
5 May – Appears at Friday prayers in Abuja
7 May – Travels to UK for further treatment
6 June – Aisha Buhari says his is ‘recuperating fast’