Eid-el-Fitr: Stay In Your House, Buhari Tells Officials, Politicians, Others

President Muhammadu Buhari, Friday, declared that he would be celebrating the Eid-el-Fitr, marking the end of Ramadan, with his family at home. And he would not be receiving the traditional Sallah homage by officials, friends and well-wishers.

Muslims across the country will celebrate the Eid el-Fitr, also known as the Festival of Breaking the Fast, marking the end of Ramadan, between today, Saturday, May 23, and tomorrow, Sunday, May 24, 2020.

Buhari’s decision to pray and celebrate at home, according to a release by Mallam Garba Shehu, Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, is in consonance 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.

Shehu also reiterated that the President’s decision was in sync with the lockdown measures imposed on the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, “to save lives and protect people from all dangers.”

“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,” Garba Shehu concluded.

The Sultan’s directive and the President’s decision to worship with his family at home should send a strong message to some governors who have eased the lockdown in their jurisdictions for the Eid celebrations.

Many Nigerians have frowned at the action of the recalcitrant governors which they insist was capable of exposing people to danger, thereby causing avoidable spike in the COVID-19 cases in the country.