Buhari under fire for sending Sallah message in Hausa

President Muhammadu Buhari has come under harsh criticism for sending a Sallah message to Nigerians in Hausa Language.

It was the first time the stricken President who left Nigeria on May 7 for further medical examination in the United Kingdom would speak directly to his compatriots.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reported that the recorded message, released by Aso Rock on Sunday, was to dismiss reports that Buhari was suffering speech impairment.

Rather than have the desired effect, the speech became a PR nightmare as critics accused the President of pursuing an ethinc agenda.

Buhari said in the message which took about one minute and three seconds to deliver, “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 fact that the message was delivered in Buhari’s native Hausa Language did not go down well with many.

Coming barely 24 hours after the president’s media aide, Malam Garba Shehu, had issued a similar Sallah message to Nigerians in the country’s official English Language, Nigerians were unsparing in the criticism of the President.