President Muhammadu Buhari observes Eid-El-Kabir Prayers at the Kofar Arewa Eid Ground in Daura Katsina State on 21st Aug 2018 (photo credit: State House)
President Muhammadu Buhari on Friday dismissed insinuations that he trekked over 800 metres to prove his physical fitness to run for a second term in office.
The Nigerian leader had on Tuesday, August 21, joined thousands of Muslim faithful to observe the Eid el-Kabir prayer in his country home in Daura, Katsina state.
Thereafter, the nation’s commander in chief walked for more than 800 metres from the prayer ground to his private residence.
That action by Buhari, a retired army general, excited one of his media aides Garba Shehu, who told newsmen that by so doing, his principal had demonstrated his physical readiness to run again.
But it appears Buhari and his media aide are not on the same page in this regard.
The President said that his long distance trekking on Sallah day was to show respect to thousands of people who wanted to greet him on the fateful day.
Famzn News had reported that a bubbly crowd was at the eid prayer ground to greet the President.
Speaking when he received some socio-political groups from Daura Emirate Council on Friday, Buhari said: “Let me react to some media reports about my trekking on Sallah day insinuating that I trekked to demonstrate my fitness for 2019 presidential election.
‘‘They were not seeing me so I came down so they could see me.
“I didn’t need to convince anyone about my health and the decision to contest for a second term- a decision that I made public in April this year.
“After the prayer, I noticed that many people wanted to see and I was in a black vehicle and security men were blocking them from seeing me.
“So, I opted to trek in spite the security implications because I knew nothing would happen to me by the grace of Allah.”