Nigeria's Buhari extends London sick leave by 4 days

By Rafiu Ajakaye

LAGOS, Nigeria (AA) - Nigeria's president has extended a 10-day sick leave stay in London by at least four days, with his deputy saying he is "in perfect health and ready to resume work on Monday", getting ahead of possible rumors about the septuagenarian’s health.

President Muhammadu Buhari began his 10-day London visit on June 6 to see doctors for a "persistent ear infection," and was due back in Nigeria on Thursday.

"The president will be back on Sunday. I spoke with him yesterday evening and I think it is just best that he takes the weekend off," Vice President Yemi Osinbajo said in the capital city Abuja on Thursday.

"Mr. President is in good condition, he is fine, he is very well. He should take a day or two off in London and rest a bit and come back hale and hearty on Sunday and be ready for work on Monday," Osinbajo added.

Until the presidency announced Buhari's sick leave, there had been rumors that the president was unwell as he repeatedly canceled official engagements in recent weeks.

A retired army general, the 73-year-old leader often appears smart and energetic but looked unusually weak in a May 29 national broadcast marking his first year in office.