Absence At Attahiru’s Funeral: Buhari Doesn’t Like Road Closure When He’s Out, Says Garba Shehu

Presidential aide, Garba Shehu has given a hint of the reason President Muhammadu Buhari did not attend the funeral of late Chief of Army Staff Ibrahim Attahiru.

Absence At Attahiru’s Funeral: Buhari Doesn’t Like Road Closure When He’s Out, Says Garba Shehu

Recall that the chief of army staff, and 10 other military officers died in an air crash in Kaduna on Friday and they were subsequently buried on Saturday.

However, President Buhari was absent when Attahiru and the army officers including three generals were laid to rest in Abuja a day after their passing.

His absence was criticised by many Nigerians, who accused him of lacking empathy.

Reacting to the development when asked to speak on the matter during an Arise TV programme on Tuesday, Shehu stated that although he has not spoken with Buhari on the matter, the president’s dislike for the closure of roads could be the reason for his action.

He said:

“I was in Europe myself on assignment and I have not spoken to the president on this but let me give you just one example: The president is somebody who is so concerned about the safety and wellbeing of ordinary Nigerians on the streets.

“Do you know why he now prays his Jumaat in the state house and doesn’t go to the national mosque? Because he doesn’t like this idea of closing roads, security men molesting people on the road for the president to have the right of way.

“These are small things for many people but they are important for President Muhammadu Buhari. So, it is a mourning situation and the president didn’t want to take away attention from that.”