Nigerians in the social media have condemned an audio recording in Hausa language of President Muhammadu Buhari’s message to Nigerians on the occasion of the Eid-el-Fitr.
For the first time since President Muhammadu Buhari left the country for the United Kingdom 50 days ago, the Presidency, on Sunday, released his voice message to Nigerians.
The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the voice message was released to debunk reports that the President was suffering from speech impairment.
The audio clip, The Buhari’s Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Mallam Garba Shehu, had, in a statement on Saturday conveyed the message of the President to Nigerians.
On Sunday, the BBC aired a recorded audio version of Buhari’s message.
The message, which took the President about one minute and three seconds to deliver, is the audio version of the statement released by Shehu.
Buhari stated in the message, “I am immensely grateful to God for his mercy in guiding us successfully to conclude another Ramadan. My greetings to all Nigerian Muslims and our brother Christians on the occasion of Eid-el-Fitr:
“May the lessons of Ramadan, namely piety, self-denial, prayers and generosity to the poor and the needy, be with us for all time.
“I, again, appeal to all Nigerians to avoid reckless statements or actions against our fellow countrymen. We should all resolve to live in peace and unity in our great country, which is the envy of many less-endowed nations.”
The audio recording has fuelled concerns that the President is suffering from speech impairment and memory loss.
Displeased by what they described as a divisive Sallah message coming from the country’s President, Nigerians have taken to micro-blogging site Twitter to air their concerns.
Below are some tweets;
Those who called GEJ ‘Ijaw President’ have no problem with Buhari’s first message to Nigerians in 50days being in Hausa language? Alright!
— Mr Stanley Nwabia (@MrStanleyNwabia) June 25, 2017
It’s barbaric that Buhari’s handlers can’t deduce the dangers of his Hausa message to the nation when there is such ethnic tension. Nepotism pic.twitter.com/nLzfRZXjdm
— Adéyẹmí ‘Bọ̀wálé???????? (@adeyemibowale) June 25, 2017
And then Pre Buhari Sent Eid????Greetings to Nigerians In Hausa Language… So All Muslims understand Hausa Now? ???? ????????pic.twitter.com/UcjU76I7Cl
— Osas Cruz (@OsasCruz) June 25, 2017
So Buhari purported Audio was done in Hausa. Lmaooooo.
Sometimes you can’t blame the people asking for their own Country really.
— T. A (@tope414) June 25, 2017
Somebody said Buhari spoke in Hausa because Eid greetings are for Muslims.
Non-Hausa Naija Muslims, get your greetings from Nnamdi Kanu.— orwelliANDYstopia (@andyRoidO) June 25, 2017
Away from Nigeria for almost 50days , the first message to Nigerians is in hausa.
And you people say Buhari & his handlers are not daft?
— Charles the 1st (@9jaBloke) June 25, 2017
is Hausa the official language in Nigeria? What about the Muslims that don’t speak Hausa? Buhari is the biggest threat to national unity.
— A.I.E???? (@amen_i_e) June 25, 2017
One president was called an “Ijaw & Christian President”.
The other spoke to all Nigerians;
In Hausa.
— Onye Nkuzi (@cchukudebelu) June 25, 2017
Let’s accept that Buhari sent a voice message(sounds ridiculous yeah?),so he did it in Hausa language? Buhari is a threat to National Unity
— . (@Tomyboiz) June 25, 2017
The president can’t be gone for 50 days with no sight of him, only for his team to release an audio in Hausa language, bad PR. ????????
— Rosanwo (@rosanwo) June 25, 2017
SHAME ON PARADE:@MBuhari sending sallah message in Hausa.Is Hausa language our official language? Or do every Nigerian understand Hausa?
— John Danfulani (@john_danfulani) June 25, 2017
It is beyond bad PR. It is a disaster. A shame. No words really. Let’s just end this movie so everyone can go home sad! https://t.co/mzJxVBHrGh
— JJ. Omojuwa (@Omojuwa) June 25, 2017
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