Buhari again cancels Sallah homeage in Aso Rock

President Muhammadu Buhari has once more declared that he would not receive Sallah homage as part of activities to mark the end of Ramadan.

Buhari requested that religious, community and political leaders, who normally paid him traditional Sallah homage should be satisfied with moderate festivities at home owing to the COVID-19 pandemic.

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

According to the statement on Sunday, Shehu stated that President Buhari would not receive the Sallah homage like he did the previous year.

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, the 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 9am.

“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.”

As indicated by the statement, the President also commiserated with all who lost relatives owing to what he depicted as the “madness” occurring in parts of the nation.

Shehu cited Buhari as urging all local leaders speak with their young people and caution them against being utilised to provoke and incite turmoil.