You are here: HomeNews2021 02 01Article 412147

General News of Monday, 1 February 2021

Source: www.mynigeria.com

Coronavirus: Presidency defends Buhari’s removal of mask in public

President Muhammadu Buhari among some APC governors without wearing a face mask President Muhammadu Buhari among some APC governors without wearing a face mask

A viral photo of President Muhammadu Buhari not wearing a face mask during a discussion with some All Progressives Congress governors over the weekend has raised some concerns as to why the head of state violated coronavirus safety protocols.

Reacting to the concerns, the Presidency, on Monday, debunked claims that the president violated the coronavirus protocols in Duara, Kastina State.

During the revalidation of his APC membership, the president was caught pants down not maintaining social distancing as directed by the Coronavirus Disease Health Protection Regulations (2021) as the number of cases continue to rise in the country.

The People Democratic Party (PDP) and Nigerians on social media bashed the President for the contradiction of the regulations made to curtail the spread of the coronavirus infection.

A fine or six months imprisonment or both are penalties set for persons who violate the regulations.

In an interview with Channels Television's Sunrise Daily programme, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu, said the president had his mask on during the meeting but took it off when he had to address the delegates through the microphone.

The Presidential Task Force on COVID-19 directed Nigerians to at all times have their mouths covered with masks during speeches to keep off respiratory droplets through which the virus can be transmitted. however, the president’s act was in contradiction to the directive.


“People are missing the point. The President had his face mask on throughout that engagement. He had it off when he was speaking into the microphone. It is just a childish antic by PDP,” Shehu said.

President Buhari has also been criticised for consenting to a large number of persons present despite the government’s social distancing warning.

The presidential spokesman, however, rebuked the complainants saying there was nothing wrong with the number of governors and APC chieftain in the delegation.

“This is to drive the spirit of the re-registration and the revalidation of membership. We must convey to the nation that we, the party, is behind the process and everyone is involved.

“The criticism is coming from parties that are not able to organise and mobilise, we feel sorry for them,” Shehu intimated.