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PRESIDENT Muhammadu Buhari has formally written to the National Assembly informing the federal lawmakers that he had resumed his functions as the president of the country.

Femi Adesina, special Adviser on Media and Publicity to the president, disclosed this in a statement on Monday, March 13.

Adesina said the presidential communication to the National Assembly was in compliance with Section 145 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended).

The letters were addressed to the Senate and the House of Representatives.

“I have resumed my functions as the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria with effect from Monday, March 13, 2017, after my vacation,” Adesina quoted Buhari as writing in the letter.

The president, who returned to the country on Friday, March 10, after a successful medical vacation in London, entered his office at around 11.15 a.m.

Adesina, had on Friday, on his twitter handle, hinted that President Buhari would transmit a letter to the National Assembly indicating his resumption of work after his vacation in London. He said that the letter would formalise the president’s return.

Adesina wrote: “PMB (President Muhammadu Buhari) will on Monday transmit letter to National Assembly on his return to the country. That makes his return to work formal and constitutional.’’

His post was to put to rest some reports indicating that Buhari had asked Vice President Yemi Osinbajo to continue to act on his behalf.

The president had left the country on January 19 on a 10-day medical vacation. He later wrote to the National Assembly informing it that he would be away for unnumbered days to enable him undergo more medical tests based on experts advice and asked Osinbajo to act as president in his absence.

The president returned to Nigeria on Friday, March 10, after 51 days in the UK.

While thanking Nigerians for their constant prayers for his good health, the president revealed that he might be going back to London in the next few weeks for a routine medical check-up.

“All I will need is to do further follow ups within some weeks.

“I thank you very much and may God bless our country,’’ he said.

—  Mar 13, 2017 @ 14:45 GMT

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