The Presidency has released a voice message of President Muhammadu Buhari to Nigerians to debunk reports that he is suffering from speech impairment.
NAN reports that recently there have been reports in the social media claiming that the President was suffering from speech impairment and memory loss.
However, in the recording, aired on Sunday by some radio stations, the President was heard felicitating with Nigerians on the occasion of Eid-el Fitr.
He spoke in Hausa.
Listen to the message here:
Buhari thanked them for their consistent prayers for his well-being.
The President also urged all citizens, irrespective of their socio-political affiliations, to always avoid hate speech and divisive tendencies capable of causing disaffection among them.
He also prayed for good harvest as farmers embarked on agricultural activities occasion by the commencement of rainfalls across the country.
Malam Garba Shehu, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity had on Saturday in a statement issued a similar message.
A presidential source on Saturday had earlier confirmed that “the President is getting better “will return to Nigeria very soon”.
Buhari left Abuja for London on May 7, to see his doctors for follow-up medical checks.
Here is the full translation of the message:
“I am immensely grateful to God for his mercy in guiding us successfully to conclude another Ramadan fast. 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 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.”