ABUJA – Surprise greeted the faces of most people
at the national mosque in Abuja who felt
disappointed over the absence of the president-
elect, General Mohammadu Buhari at the special
Friday service to mark the beginning of a week long
activities of his inauguration next week.
Journalists who were invited to cover the ceremony
had gathered but to the chagrin of everyone, Buhari
was not sighted anywhere around the crowded
mosque.
No official reason was given for his absence at the
mosque.
Vanguard correspondent was later to read from an
online news medium, Shaharareporters that Buhari
jetted out of the country to the United Kingdom, UK,
in early hours of Friday morning without prior
knowledge of most of his aides.
It later became obvious that the president-elect
was not available when former Vice President and
chieftain of All Progressives Congress, APC, Alhaji
Atiku Abubakar stepped out in the mosque and said
he was Buhari’s representative at the special service.
Speaking, he said “I’m here with some of the
governors that accompany 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 corporation of all Nigerians. We
have prayed to have a successful transfer of power
on the Inauguration Day which is on the 29th of May
this year insha Allah.”
Meanwhile, in his sermon earlier, the Deputy Chief
Imam of Abuja Central Mosque, Dr. Muhammad
Kabir Adam said that public office and position was
a trust given to people by God.
According to him, 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: “The central massage of today is on trust.
When Almighty Allah gives someone position in
whatever kind, 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 him.
“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 common man of this country lives a
good life.”
As at 7:15 pm when this report was filed, Vanguard
had not received 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.
It will be recalled that the last public function Buhari
had was the receipt of the interim report of his
transition technical committee and the Nigerien
president, Mahamadou Issoufou who paid him a
congratulatory visit in Abuja on Thursday
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