17th July, 2015
President Muhammadu Buhari on Friday thanked the Muslim faithful for remaining steadfast in their Sallah homage to all Nigerian Presidents.
He expressed his happiness when the Muslim faithful paid him the homage at the State House, Abuja, after the Eid El-Fitri prayers, saying it showed their loyalty to constituted authority.
“I thank you most sincerely for fulfilling the tradition of greetings for whoever occupies this place.
“I thank you very much for you loyalty to the country, as represented by our institutions and to the system,” he said.
The President told the visitors that during and immediately after the prayers, he was besieged by youths who almost overwhelmed the security.
“I had to hold tight to my gown to get to my car; I was advised to enter the car from the ADC’s side and I refused; I went across trying to hold my hand to the wild youth who wanted to see me.”
He then remarked that on an occasion like this, “it shows that after what happened to President Ronald Reagan of the US, it is only God almighty that protects leaders, because in a mob like this, anybody with a sharp knife can get access and do a lot of damage.
“So, all the policemen that were deployed and soldiers– since Six O’clock in the morning– before I came out two hours later in the rain, cannot protect you; only God protects. I hope God will continue to protect us.
Buhari urged the faithful to convey his thanks and happy Sallah to all their families and relations.