Again, Buhari absent at FEC meeting; concerns grow

Again, Buhari absent at FEC meeting; concerns grow

Nigeria’s President Muhammadu Buhari was again absent from Wednesday’s cabinet meeting, choosing to rest and work from home, Information Minister Lai Mohammed said.

It was Buhari’s second consecutive absence from the weekly meeting, which was chaired by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo.

Mohammed told reporters the president had sent a message “that he wants to rest today and that he wants to work from home today”.

But his absence has pushed up concerns about his health. Since returning from London on a 50-day medical vacation, the President has maintained a low profile, making limited appearances at public functions. He has not undertaken any trip outside the country since then, unusual for a president noted for frequent diplomatic shuttles to Europe, Asia and the Americas .

Buhari, 74, returned home in March after nearly two months’ medical leave in Britain and said he would need more rest and health tests, raising questions about his ability to run Africa’s biggest economy and most populous nation.

Details of his medical condition were not disclosed.

Nigeria is in its second year of recession, brought on by low oil prices which have slashed government revenues, weakened the naira currency and caused chronic dollar shortages.

Osinbajo has played an active role in driving policy changes including chairing cabinet meetings during the president’s medical leave.

File Photo: Buhari’s last public outing was at the mosque for prayer penultimate Friday