resident Muhammadu Buhari on Friday
admitted that the heavy security cordon
around him is not capable of protecting
him.
He said only God can protect him from being
harmed.
Crowd Meet Buhari During Sallah
President Buhari made the submission while
granting audience to the Muslim community in
the Federal Capital Territory that paid him the
traditional Sallah homage at the Presidential
Villa in Abuja.
The President recalled his experience earlier in
the day when some youths, who were
desperate to catch a glimpse of him at the
prayer ground located on the Airport Road
during the Eid-el-Fitri prayers, almost
overwhelmed security operatives.
Amidst laughter from his guests, Buhari told
the story of how he had to hold tight to his
agbada and quickly rushed into his car.
He added that with what happened with
Ronald Reagan during his time as United States
President, it was clear that only God could
protect leaders.
He said anybody armed with a sharp knife
could have caused havoc in that kind of riotous
situation.
The President said, “I thank you most sincerely
for fulfilling the tradition of greetings whoever
occupies this place. I thank you very much for
your loyalty to the country, as represented by
our institutions and to the system.
“Today, during and immediately after the
prayers, I think I was bombarded by the
youths, who almost overwhelmed the security,
and I had to hold tight to my gown to get to my
car.
“I was advised to enter the car from the ADC
side and I refused. I went across trying to wave
my hand to the wild youths, who wanted to
see me.
“On an occasion like this, it shows that after
what happened to (former) President Ronald
Reagan of the USA, it is only God Almighty that
protects leaders because in a mob like this,
anybody with a sharp knife can get access and
do a lot of damage.
“So, all the policemen that were deployed and
soldiers since 6 o’clock in the morning, before I
came out two hours later in the rains, cannot
protect you; only God protects. I hope God will
continue to protect us.”
Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, who also joined
the delegation, commended the President for
giving an enabling environment for people of
different faiths to co-exist in the country.
This, he said, was in fulfillment of Buhari’s
electoral promise that no religion would be
given undue advantage over others under him.
Osinbajo assured Nigerians that they would
soon be enjoying the good of the nation that
would be made possible by the present
administration.
“Our country is one with a great potential. We
should contribute our quota to its development
and in no time, we will see a great change. All
of us will enjoy this nation. Even our children
and grandchildren will enjoy the good of the
land,” he said.
The Permanent Secretary of the FCT, Mr.
Obinna Chukwu, urged all Nigerians to be their
neighbours’ keepers and continue to work for
the peace of the country.
He said he led the delegation to pledge loyalty
and commitment to the President and his
administration.
He later presented Sallah gifts, consisting a
giant greeting car, a photo frame and a mat
designed in the national colours to the
President.
Top government officials, members of the
National Assembly and Presidential aides,
among others, were part of the delegation.
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