Only the doctors currently attending to President Muhammadu Buhari in the United Kingdom have the last say on when he can return to Nigeria, according to an update on his vacation yesterday.
The doctors, Buhari said in his February 5 letter to the Senate seeking an extension of his vacation, must be “satisfied that certain factors are ruled out” before he can be let back home.
Online newspaper, Premium Times, published the letter in full yesterday for the first time.
Simultaneously, Wife of the President Aisha Buhari thanked Nigerians for their prayers for the President and asked them to sustain the tempo.
She spoke on her arrival at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja from the lesser Hajj in Saudi Arabia.
The President’s letter reads: “Further to my letter dated 18th January 2017 in which I notified the Distinguished Senate of taking part of my annual leave.
“During my leave, I took the opportunity to have routine check-ups and consult my long standing doctors in London.
“In the course of the routine examinations, certain test result indicated the need for a course of medications and further appointments have been scheduled for next week.
“I am therefore notifying the Distinguished Senate that I am extending my leave until the doctors are satisfied that certain factors are ruled out. In the circumstances, the vice president will continue to act on my behalf.
“Please accept, Distinguished Senate President, the assurances of my highest consideration.”
The medical status of the President remains a top secret.
Vice President Yemi Osinbajo said last week that only the President can divulge his medical details to whoever he wants.
But he said he had spoken with him and he was doing well.
Senate President Bukola Saraki and House of Representatives Speaker Yakubu Dogara also confirmed during the week that Buhari spoke with them separately by phone from UK.
They said there was no cause for anxiety on his state of health.
National Leader of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) Asiwaju Bola Tinubu and former Interim Chairman of the party, Chief Adebisi Akande last week visited him in London.
Mrs. Buhari whose plane touched down at 3.15pm said: “I want to use this opportunity to thank all Nigerians for the goodwill and support for my husband and Nigeria in general.”
She asked for more.
She said she used the opportunity of the lesser hajj to pray for Nigeria and her leaders.
“We should not relent in prayers and good deed,” she said.
On hand at the airport to welcome her back home were the wife of the Senate President, Mrs Toyin Saraki, former Deputy Governor of Plateau State, Mrs Pauline Tallen ; wives of the service chiefs – Mrs Omobolanle Olonishakin, Mrs Ummu Kulthum Buratai, Mrs Theresa Ibok Ibas, , Mrs Hafsat Sadiq and Mrs Asma’u Idris.
Also at the airport were the wives of Kebbi State Governor, Mrs Zainab Bagudu and that of Kogi State, Mrs Rashidat Bello.