President Muhammadu Buhari has canceled this year’s Sallah homage to him by the Muslim faithful at the Presidential Villa, Abuja as he also announced that he would be observing the Eid prayers at home with his family members.

He explained that the decision was in compliance 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 and obedience to the guideline issued by the presidential Task Force on COVID-19 against mass gathering.

This was contained in a statement issued in Abuja on Friday by the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Mallam Garba Shehu .

“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.”The statement read.