Saraki, Dogara, others jet out to visit Buhari in London

ABUJA- SENATE President and Chairman of the National Assembly, Senator Bukola Saraki has led the leadership of both the Senate and House of Representatives on a visit to President Muhammadu Buhari who has been on vacation in London.

Senate President Saraki who left Nigeria in the early hours of Wednesday, travelled with the Speaker, House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara; Deputy Speaker, Lasun Yusuf and Senate Leader, Senator Ahmed Lawan.

A source told Vanguard that the team which left on a presidential jet, would meet with President Buhari at 6:pm where issues relating to his health, Nigeria, the economy, the 2017 budget, and how far the National Assembly has gone with the Appropriation bill would be discussed.

When called to confirm the story, a source in the Senate President’s simply told Vanguard, ” it is true, the meeting is scheduled for 6:pm this evening at the Nigeria House in London.”

It would be recalled that Senate President Bukola Saraki had on Thursday, 19th January, 2017, read a letter from President Buhari that the Vice President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo will act on his behalf as President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria for the 10 working days that he would be on vacation.

In the said letter addressed to the Senate President, Senator Bukola Saraki, President Buhari said he was writing in line with Section 145 (1) of the 1999 constitution as amended.

According to the letter which was read at plenary by Saraki, President Buhari said he will be away from Monday 23rd January to Monday 6th February.

President Buhari said, “In compliance with Section 145 (1) of the 1999 constitution as amended, I wish to inform the Distinguished Senate that I will be away in a short medical vacation from Monday January, 23 to February 6th, 2017 and while I am away, the Vice President (Osinbajo) will perform the functions of my office.
“Please, accept, as always assurances of my highest esteemed consideration.”

When it became obvious that President Muhammadu Buhari would return to Nigeria from his medical vacation in the United Kingdom when he is given a clean Bill of health by his London Doctors, another letter was written to the Senate.

In the letter to Senate President Bukola Saraki dated 5th January, 2017, President Buhari while stating the reason for seeking an extension for his medical vacation in London, said that he was staying longer then expected because in the course of the routine examinations, certain test results indicated the need for a course of medications and further appointments.