In compliance with the rules and regulations on control of the rampaging Coronavirus (COVID-19), President Muhammadu Buhari will not be attending the Eid prayers at the Customary praying ground along the international airport road near the city gate Abuja, but will pray at home with his family, Presidential Spokesperson, Mallam Garba Shehu, said in a statement on Friday.
In the same vein, President Buhari has banned the customary Sallah homage usually paid to every sitting President by top government officials, political leaders, community heads, Muslim and Christian religious leaders and children.
The Presidential Spokesperson said that “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 Presidential Task Force 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 religious leaders and children, will not be receiving these homages in a bid to stop the coronavirus from further spreading.”
Meanwhile, the Federal Government has declared Monday and Tuesday as public holidays to mark Eid Fitri celebration.
Minister of Interior, Mr Rauf Aregbesola, congratulated all Muslim faithful for successful completion of the Ramadan fast, calling on Muslim faithful to replicate the life of kindness, love, tolerance, peace and good neighbourliness as exemplified by the Holy Prophet Muhammad.
He expressed his concern about the spate of ethnic conflicts that have resurfaced in some parts of Northern Nigeria in recent times and advised Nigerians to see themselves as a single entity and learn to tolerate one another despite their ethnic and religious differences.
The Minister Aregbesola further assured Nigerians that the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari was fully committed to battling COVID-19 epidemic. The Minister reminded Muslims to adhere to the COVID-19 guidelines and regulations while celebrating this Sallah.