Eid Al-Fitr: Buhari won’t receive Sallah homage – Presidency

The Presidency has said President Muhammadu Buhari will not receive Sallah homage following the end of Ramadan.

The Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu, disclosed this in a statement on Sunday ‘President Buhari to mark Eid in the Villa, plans modest celebration at home.’

According to the statement, the President asked religious, community, and political leaders who usually pay him traditional Sallah homage should be content with modest celebrations at home in view of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The statement read: “As Muslims in Nigeria join others globally in preparations towards Eid Al-Fitr, a day that is celebrated to mark the end of Ramadan, the month of fasting, President Buhari directs that all celebrations be limited due to the global Coronavirus crisis.

“To this effect, the President, First Family, his personal aides, members of cabinet and Service Chiefs who choose to remain in Abuja will congregate in full compliance with COVID-19 protocols at the forecourt of the Presidential Villa to observe the Eid prayers. Time fixed for the prayer is 9.00am.

“Thereafter, there will be no traditional Sallah homage to the President by religious, community and political leaders. As was the case last year, the President encourages such leaders to be content with modest celebrations at home in view of the pandemic.

“President Buhari specially thanks the Ulama (Islamic Clerics) and all other religious (Muslim, Christian) leaders who continue to pray for the wellbeing of the nation and its people.”

According to the statement, Buhari also seized the opportunity to condole with all who lost family members due to what he described as the “madness” going on in parts of the country.

It quoted him as calling on all local leaders to talk to their youths and warn them against being used to incite and foment violence.

He said, “If we attack institutions guarding us, who will protect us in future emergencies?”