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| Nigeria's President Buhari extends medical leave in UK | Nigeria's President Buhari extends medical leave in UK |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| Nigeria's President Muhammadu Buhari has asked the parliament to extend his medical leave in the UK, amid concerns that his health may be worse than officials are publicly saying. | Nigeria's President Muhammadu Buhari has asked the parliament to extend his medical leave in the UK, amid concerns that his health may be worse than officials are publicly saying. |
| The 74-year-old leader, who has been out of the country for two weeks, was expected to return to Abuja on Sunday. | The 74-year-old leader, who has been out of the country for two weeks, was expected to return to Abuja on Sunday. |
| An official statement said he had been advised by doctors to await the results of a series of tests. | An official statement said he had been advised by doctors to await the results of a series of tests. |
| However, it did not say how much extra time would be needed. | However, it did not say how much extra time would be needed. |
| There was also no mention of what the medical checks were for. | There was also no mention of what the medical checks were for. |
| Africa Live: Updates on this and other stories | Africa Live: Updates on this and other stories |
| Buhari’s first year in quotes | Buhari’s first year in quotes |
| Nigeria's Buhari 'broke promise to end medical tourism' | Nigeria's Buhari 'broke promise to end medical tourism' |
| The main opposition People's Democratic Party (PDP) has called for more transparency about the president's condition. | The main opposition People's Democratic Party (PDP) has called for more transparency about the president's condition. |
| 'Two weeks of rumours' by Habiba Adamu in Abuja | 'Two weeks of rumours' by Habiba Adamu in Abuja |
| The failure of President Buhari to reveal the exact length of the additional medical leave in London is worrying many Nigerians. | The failure of President Buhari to reveal the exact length of the additional medical leave in London is worrying many Nigerians. |
| There have been rumours about the president's health since he left the country two weeks ago. | There have been rumours about the president's health since he left the country two weeks ago. |
| He officially handed over affairs of the state to the Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo, a move commended by some experts as a sign of respect to the constitution and the rule of law. | He officially handed over affairs of the state to the Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo, a move commended by some experts as a sign of respect to the constitution and the rule of law. |
| Although things are running smoothly on the surface since Mr Buhari's departure, his continued absence might not be accepted wholeheartedly by some because of the country's worsening economic crisis. | Although things are running smoothly on the surface since Mr Buhari's departure, his continued absence might not be accepted wholeheartedly by some because of the country's worsening economic crisis. |
| After the first medical trip to London, Mr Buhari was heavily criticised by a leading health professional who felt that the president should have stayed and sought treatment at home. | After the first medical trip to London, Mr Buhari was heavily criticised by a leading health professional who felt that the president should have stayed and sought treatment at home. |
| Dr Osahon Enabulele, vice-president of the Commonwealth Medical Association, said it was a "national shame" that Mr Buhari had gone to the UK when Nigeria had many competent ear, nose and throat (ENT) specialists, as well as a National Ear Centre. | Dr Osahon Enabulele, vice-president of the Commonwealth Medical Association, said it was a "national shame" that Mr Buhari had gone to the UK when Nigeria had many competent ear, nose and throat (ENT) specialists, as well as a National Ear Centre. |
| Health Minister Osagie Ehanire said Nigerians spent more than $1bn a year on medical tourism, an amount the present government has promised to reduce. | Health Minister Osagie Ehanire said Nigerians spent more than $1bn a year on medical tourism, an amount the present government has promised to reduce. |
| It is not clear how much Mr Buhari's treatment will cost and who will pay for it. But as the number-one citizen, the state is expected to look after his wellbeing. | It is not clear how much Mr Buhari's treatment will cost and who will pay for it. But as the number-one citizen, the state is expected to look after his wellbeing. |
| However, many Nigerians would not be happy if they realised how much such medical trips dent the country's already depleted foreign reserves. | However, many Nigerians would not be happy if they realised how much such medical trips dent the country's already depleted foreign reserves. |
| 'Completely in the dark' | 'Completely in the dark' |
| Analysts say that Mr Buhari's extended leave could further erode confidence in his administration which is already under pressure due to a weak economy and the conflict with Boko Haram Islamist militants in the north-east of the country. | Analysts say that Mr Buhari's extended leave could further erode confidence in his administration which is already under pressure due to a weak economy and the conflict with Boko Haram Islamist militants in the north-east of the country. |
| The country is currently suffering from its worst economic crisis in years, following a sharp fall in the price of oil, its major export. | The country is currently suffering from its worst economic crisis in years, following a sharp fall in the price of oil, its major export. |
| Businesses and investors complain that the government's handling of the currency exchange rate has made a bad situation even worse, and there have been demonstrations against the lack of jobs and high inflation. | Businesses and investors complain that the government's handling of the currency exchange rate has made a bad situation even worse, and there have been demonstrations against the lack of jobs and high inflation. |
| Some Nigerians are particularly anxious about the president's health after one of his predecessors, Umaru Yar'Adua, died in 2010 after several months of medical treatment in Saudi Arabia. | Some Nigerians are particularly anxious about the president's health after one of his predecessors, Umaru Yar'Adua, died in 2010 after several months of medical treatment in Saudi Arabia. |
| During that time, very little information was made public about his condition, leading to a political limbo in the country. | During that time, very little information was made public about his condition, leading to a political limbo in the country. |
| It is the second time in less than a year that Mr Buhari has sought medical assistance overseas. Last June, he spent nearly two weeks, again in London, for treatment for an ear infection. | It is the second time in less than a year that Mr Buhari has sought medical assistance overseas. Last June, he spent nearly two weeks, again in London, for treatment for an ear infection. |
| In Abuja, where some of the protests against government policies have been taking place, demonstrators used the occasion to voice their concerns. | |
| One woman complained: "We are completely in the dark." | One woman complained: "We are completely in the dark." |
| And a lawyer added: "Anybody can fall sick but when a president falls sick, it should not be a confidential matter." | And a lawyer added: "Anybody can fall sick but when a president falls sick, it should not be a confidential matter." |
| Nigerians have been giving their reaction on Twitter too and have commented on what they see as "double standards" over the issue of medical tourism: | Nigerians have been giving their reaction on Twitter too and have commented on what they see as "double standards" over the issue of medical tourism: |