Nigeria’s president will spend three months working from home after his office was damaged by rats.
Muhammadu Buhari has just returned from three months in the UK, amid widespread concerns over his health.
But government spokesman Garba Shehu said the office required renovation after damage was done to the furniture and air conditioning in his absence.
He told the BBC the president had a “well-equipped” office at home that he could work “perfectly” from.
Mr Buhari returned to Nigeria on Saturday, but did not reference his health in his first speech.
Some Nigerians had called for him to resign during his prolonged absence, saying he was unfit to run the country.
Others were angered by officials’ refusal to disclose what Mr Buhari was being treated for.
He first travelled to London in June 2016 for what his office said was a persistent ear infection. He returned in January and May this year for an undisclosed illness.
Opposition politicians have claimed he was actually receiving treatment for prostate cancer – an accusation Mr Buhari denied.
“There’s nothing at all to worry about as to the condition of his own health. From everything we have seen from the president – we have a new Buhari: energetic, well focused and it is clear he is enjoying excellent health,” Mr Shehu told the BBC’s Focus on Africa programme.
“He has recovered, so there is nothing to talk about in any speech.”
Many users of Nigerian social media have cast doubt on the reason given for Mr Buhari working from home.
Presidency: Rats damaged the furniture and air conditioning in Buhari’s office so he has to work from home.
Abuja Rats:
“Rodents destroyed PMB’s office furniture while he was abroad”- Shehu Garba
My goodness!!! Even the rats don’t want him to come back.
Some mocked the irony of the rat story because Mr Buhari is nicknamed the ‘”Lion President”.
Dem talk say Lion King is back to deal with hyenas and jackals,yet he can’t even enter his den because of common rat! #IsThatOneALion
While he was away, it took charge of the president’s office.
Hyenas, baboons, jackals
bowed to it.
Meet the First Rat
But others have come to the defence of the president’s spokesperson’s story.
Wetin concern us with rat for Baba office or no airfreshener in the toilet or the soakaway don full? Must we be told EVERYTHING?
But others have come to the defence of the president’s spokesperson’s story.