Buhari will sit at home to observe Eid prayers with family

Samson Toromade 15:01 - 22 May 2020

President Muhammadu Buhari receiving briefings from the Presidential Task Force on COVID-19. [Twitter/@BashirAhmaad]

Buhari says he'll be adhering to measures put in place to combat the spread of the coronavirus disease.

President Muhammadu Buhari will remain at the Presidential Villa, Abuja to observe Eid prayers to mark the end of the Ramadan fast this weekend.

The presidency said in a statement on Friday, May 22, 2020 that 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," the president's spokesperson, Garba Shehu, said in a brief statement.

Further to this, the President who has traditionally shared the joyous moment with top government officials, political leaders, community heads, Muslim and Christian leaders and children, will not be receiving these homages in a bid to stop the coronavirus from further spreading.
— Garba Shehu (@GarShehu) May 22, 2020

Nigeria has recorded 7,016 coronavirus cases in 34 states and the FCT, as of May 21. While 1,907 people have recovered and been discharged, 211 people have died.

One of President Buhari's measure to combat the spread of the virus is a ban on religious gatherings across the country.