Buhari to receive Sallah homage first time since Covid-19 outbreak

The age-long tradition was suspended two years ago due to the outbreak of Covid-19 which ravaged the world in 2020 and 2021.

It is usually carried out by select dignitaries and stakeholders within the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

Some of the stakeholders usually include the FCT minister, senators and other members of the National Assembly, amongst others.

According to the statement by Mr Shehu, the tradition will be returned due to the fall in infection rate in Nigeria.

He, however, said those who will be taking part in the activity will have to undergo a Covid-19 test and return a negative result.

“Although this is a sign of the return to normalcy as infection rates fall to their lowest, those coming on invitation are still required to wear face masks and undergo the linear Covid-19 test at the State House Conference Centre to obtain a negative test result as condition for admittance to the event,” the statement said.

Read full statement:

STATE HOUSE PRESS RELEASE:

TWO YEARS AFTER, SALLAH HOMAGE RETURNS TO THE ASO ROCK VILLA

Two years after the world’s biggest lockdown to slow the COVID-19 pandemic, the traditional Sallah homage to the President by the residents of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja returns to the Aso Rock Villa.

Although this is a sign of the return to normalcy as infection rates fall to their lowest, those coming on invitation are still required to wear face masks and undergo the linear Covid-19 test at the State House Conference Centre to obtain a negative test result as condition for admittance to the event.

President Muhammadu Buhari is set to receive the visitors, numbering about 100 at the New State House Banquet Hall at 3:00pm on Sallah Day (Sunday or Monday), itself to be determined by moon sighting to be announced by Islamic authorities in the country.

Invited Guests for the event, led by Muhammed Musa Bello, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT include the Secretary to the Government of the Federation and the Head of Service, the Senator and House members from the territory, leadership of the FCT Judiciary, Members of the Cabinet, Service Chiefs and heads of security agencies, Muslim and Christian leaderships in the FCT, Council Chairmen, Traditional Rulers and others who received invitations as listed on the manifest.

Garba Shehu

Senior Special Assistant to the President
(Media & Publicity)
Source – Premium Times

 

 

Osinbajo, Tinubu, Others: S’West Monarchs Move To Broker Consensus in PRESIDENTIAL race

We don’t want to go into the primaries as a divided house –Source

Saturday Telegraph has gathered exclusively that plans are afoot by prominent traditional rulers in South West to meet with aspirants from the zone jostling for the presidential ticket of the All Progressives Congress (APC). Our correspondent gathered exclusively during the week that the meeting which is being convened by a prominent traditional ruler in Osun State is expected to throw up a consensus candidate from the zone for the forthcoming presidential primaries of the APC scheduled for the end of May.

So far four aspirants have shown their desire to fly the flag of the party from the zone with observers arguing that the tension generated by their individual ambitions is causing some ripples which might jeopardise the desire of the region to produce a successor to incumbent presdent, Muhammadu Buhari next year. Those who have shown interest for the ticket include Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, National Leader of the APC and former Lagos State governor, Senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu, immediate past governor of Ogun State, Senator Ibikunle Amosun and current Ekiti State governor, Dr. Kayode Fayemi. A source within the Lagos State chapter of the APC who pleaded not to be named confirmed the development in a chat with our correspondent during the week.

“I can tell you that prominent traditional rulers in the South West have decided to wade into the rumpus within our party (APC) and I also know that the monarch (name withheld) has been mobilising his colleagues to be part of the meeting where a consensus candidate of our party will emerge,” the source said.

The source added that the meeting would have taken place before now but was later postponed due to the absence of Tinubu who had been away to Saudi Arabia (as at the time of filing this report) for lesser Hajj. He said: “I am aware that the meeting would have taken place but the absence of our Leader who is away on pilgrimage to Mecca prevented it from holding.” He added that it (the meeting) would take place immediately he is back, expectedly during the week. When asked if any of the aspirants would be made to step down for a preferred candidate, the source said, “I am not sure if there is any preferred candidate but what I know is that the traditional rulers will meet them and talk to each and every one of them to see the viability or otherwise of their bid before using persuasion and tact to make them see reason.

“The office is for the picking of the South West but if we go into the primaries as a divided house, we will lose out in the end, since there are candidates from other regions who are strong enough to win the ticket. Therefore, our royal fathers are wading in to ensure that one of us will be fielded at the end of the day.” The development was also confirmed to our correspondent by a palace aide of the respected traditional ruler who said, “I can confirm that to you. I know that baba (the traditional ruler) has spoken to us about the meeting. “I am aware that plans are on to call all the APC aspirants in South West for a meeting. That is all I can say,” says the palace aide in a telephone chat on Thursday.
Source – Telegraph