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President Muhammadu Buhari has announced that he will travel to the United Kingdom today for a 10-day vacation. The president said in a Facebook post that he has notified the National Assembly of his travel plans and Vice President Yemi Osinbajo will act in his stead. The president gave no reason for his abrupt departure from Abuja, but said that he will return to work on February 6th.

“I'm traveling to the UK today on a short leave, part of my annual vacation. I'll be back at work on February 6,” the president said. “I have formally notified the President of the Senate, and the Speaker of the House of Representatives, in line with the Constitution. Vice President Professor Yemi Osinbajo will act as President while I'm away.”

A copy of President Buhari’s letter to the National Assembly was read on the floor of the Senate earlier today by Bukola Saraki, President of the Senate.

This will be the third time that President Buhari has transferred power to the vice president since taking office in May 2015. In February last year, the president took a five-day vacation to London and in June of the same year, he took a 10-day vacation to rest and to seek medical attention for an ear infection.

According to Section 145 (1) of the Nigerian constitution, whenever the President transmits a letter to the National Assembly, notifying them that he is proceeding on vacation or that he is unable to discharge the functions of his office, the Vice President will serve as Acting President until the President transmits another letter informing lawmakers of his return to duty.