Nigerian Vice President Yemi Osinbajo
said on Monday he had the approval of President Muhammadu Buhari for
"practically everything," after taking the reins as acting president during Buhari's absence for medical treatment in Britain.
During
the almost two-month absence, acting president Osinbajo drove policy
changes, concluding an economic reform plan required for a World bank
loan. The central bank devalued the naira for retail customers after a
state body chaired by him called for an urgent review.
Top
political posts in Nigeria are traditionally shared out to reflect the
country's geographic and religious divisions. Buhari is a northern
Muslim, while Osinbajo is a pastor from the mainly Christian south.
Buhari,
who returned to Nigeria on Friday, has written to parliament notifying
lawmakers that he has resumed his presidential duties, his spokesman
said on Monday.
"We
just had a very long meeting ... basically trying to bring the
president up to speed as to some of the things we have done while he was
away," Osinbajo told reporters later in the day.
"By
and large, practically everything I discuss fully with him and have his
endorsement before we are able to go on and do anything at all."
Buhari
did not address the media after the meeting in his office. The
president said on Friday he was feeling "much better" but wanted to rest
over the weekend.
"His readiness for work is not in doubt at all," Osinbajo said. "He is very well."
During
Buhari's absence the acting president traveled several times to the
commercial capital Lagos and the Niger Delta oil hub in an effort to
calm tensions with militants attacking oil facilities. Buhari had been
accused of neglecting the two regions.
Buhari,
who first led the country from 1983 to 1985 after taking power in a
military coup, was elected to power two years ago. Since then he has
traveled to Britain several times to consult doctors. His illness has
not been disclosed.
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