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THERE was anxiety at the National Mosque yesterday in Abuja over the absence of the President-elect, Muhammadu Buhari at the special Juma’at prayers to mark the beginning of the week long activities leading to his inauguration on May 29.
The President-elect Muhammadu Buhari on Friday, 22 May left for Britain on a private visit, his first such trip outside the country since winning the March 28th presidential election.
In a statement issued in Abuja yesterday by the President-elect’s Media Team, Mallam Garba Shehu said: “Buhari left for Britain on a private visit. He will use the opportunity of the visit to take a much-deserved rest ahead of his inauguration on May 29th.
‘’He is expected back in the country a few days before the inauguration, refreshed and ready to hit the ground running once he is sworn into office,’’ he said.
At the monsque, when it became obvious that the president-elect was not available, the former Vice President and chieftains of All Progressives Congress, APC, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar stepped into the mosque saying he was Buhari’s representative at the special service.
Buhari
Speaking, he said “I am here with some of the governors that accompanied me to represent the president-elect who is unavoidable absent. The prayers have gone on very well. We are grateful for all the support and cooperation of all Nigerians. We have prayed to have a successful transfer of power on the inauguration day which is on May 29 insha Allah.”
Meanwhile, in his sermon at the Juma’at prayers earlier, the Deputy Chief Imam of Abuja Central Mosque, Dr. Muhammad Kabir Adam said that public office or position was a trust given to people by God, adding that, anyone given a position of trust should lead with the fear of God even as he prayed for God’s guidance, protection and blessing upon Nigeria.
He said: “When Almighty Allah gives someone position in whatever capacity, that position is a trust. So, the massage today is that everybody should fear Allah in managing the affairs of the trust that was giving to them by Allah.
“We pray to Allah to protect this country, shower his blessings on this country and also pray to Almighty Allah to guide our leaders. Let them lead with justice and let them do all they could do to make sure that the common man in this country lives a good life.”
As at 7:15 pm when this report was filed, Saturday Vanguard had not received any official comments from Buhari’s media aide, Mallam Garba Shehu who when called promised to issue a statement as to what led to the absence of the president-elect at the 2015 presidential inauguration service.
The last public functions Buhari attended was to receive the interim report of his transition technical committee and the Nigerien President, Mahamadou Issoufou who paid him a congratulatory visit in Abuja on Thursday evening.
Source: Vanguardngr.com
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