The President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.), said that in a bid to prevent the spread of coronavirus, there is no need for government officials, political leaders, community heads, Muslim and Christian religious leaders and children to pay him Eid-el-Fitr homages at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

He explained that his decision was in compliance with the safety measures put in place in the Federal Capital Territory to guard against the spread of COVID-19.

Buhari, who said he would spend the period at home with his family, also cited the directive of the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar III, suspending Eid congregational prayers across the country, as well as measures introduced by the Presidential Task Force on COVID -19.

A statement by his spokesman, Mr Garba Shehu, on Friday, reads, “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.”