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World|politics|March 10, 2017 / 05:04 PM
Nigeria's President Buhari returns from medical leave in UK

AKIPRESS.COM - Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari returned home on Friday after nearly two months of medical leave in Britain during which his deputy, Yemi Osinbajo, stamped his authority on economic policy in Africa's top oil producer, Reuters reported.

The Nigerian bourse rose to a one-month high as his return removed some uncertainty over a vacuum at the helm of Africa's biggest economy following rumors on social media that he might get incapacitated.

Dressed in a kaftan and Muslim prayer cap, the 74-year-old former military ruler walked stiffly but unaided from his plane after it landed at an air force base in the northern city of Kaduna.

After greeting a handful of provincial and military officials, he boarded a helicopter to Abuja for meetings with Osinbajo and his top military commanders, greeting a long line of officials waiting for him at the presidential villa.

Buhari told a meeting with officials he was "feeling much better" to perform his duties, state television said.

Officials have refused to disclose details of his condition, saying only that he had undergone routine tests. This has fueled speculation that his condition is much worse than officials like to admit.

In images released by his office on Thursday, Buhari looked painfully thin but was smiling as he greeted Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby in London. These had been the first official pictures in three weeks.

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