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Buhari says no to Eid-el-Fitr visits by politicians, others
BY NICHOLAS ABE
The Presidency has announced that the President, Muhammadu Buhari, will be observing the end of the Ramadan fast with prayers at home only with his family.
The president will be breaking from the tradition of receiving and entertaining guests, in due compliance with the guidelines established by the Presidential Task Force on COVID-19 and the Nigerian Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), in the fight against coronavirus infection in the country.
A statement issued by the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Mallam Garba Shehu says: “With the Eid-el-Fitr celebrations around the corner and the month-long Ramadan fast coming to an end, President Muhammadu Buhari will be conducting his Eid prayers with his family at home.
“This is in observance of the lockdown measures in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, put in place to save lives and protect people from all dangers.
“This is also in line with the directive of the Sultan of Sokoto and President General of the Jama’atu Nasril Islam (JNI), Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar III, suspending Eid congregational prayers across the country as well as the protocol against mass gathering issued by the PTF on COVID-19.
“Further to this, the President who has traditionally shared the joyous moment with top government officials, political leaders, community heads, Muslim and Christian leaders and children, will not be receiving these homages in a bid to stop the coronavirus from further spreading.”