Nigerians have reacted with understandable mockery to claim by Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu, that President Muhammadu Buhari is forced to work from home after his office was damaged by rats.
President Buhari returned to Nigeria on Saturday after three months of medical treatment in Britain.
He resumed work at his official residence on Monday, raising concerns about his fitness.
Shehu, however, told several media outlets on Tuesday that rodents damaged furniture and air conditioning fittings in the President’s office while he was in London receiving treatment.
“These are also general works and it is not uncommon for Nigerian presidents to also work from the presidential villa. He has used the residential office for many years,” Shehu said.
“What is important is that the job gets done. Whether he does it from his bedroom or his sitting room or his anteroom — it does not matter. Let the job be done. And the job will be done.”
Many Nigerians do not believe the rat infestation story and the made their feelings known on Twitter.
National Association of Rats of Nigeria will hold a press conference tomorrow on the defamatory statement by Garba Shehu against its members pic.twitter.com/07pz6e3wbT
— Inibehe Effiong (@InibeheEffiong) August 22, 2017
When Buhari catches Garba Shehu after saying Rodents ? in Mr President’s office will force him to work from home pic.twitter.com/fSYx5zV0nR
— Kemi Ariyo (@d_problemsolver) August 22, 2017
Oga Buhari, your appointee, Garba Shehu didn’t cross our national red line but I am sure he crossed your integrity red line
Sack him NOW.
— Banky (@AdeBanqie) August 22, 2017
Meanwhile. Garba Shehu, with the Guild of Editors experience, legitimately talked about rodents in the President’s office?
Facking hell…
— Temisan Okomi (@temiokomi) August 22, 2017
“Rodents destroyed PMB’s office furniture while he was abroad”- Shehu Garba
My goodness!!! Even the rats don’t want him to come back.
— Femi Fani-Kayode (@realFFK) August 22, 2017
Dem talk say Lion King is back to deal with hyenas and jackals,yet he can’t even enter his den because of common rat! #IsThatOneALion
— Idris Ayodeji Bello (@idrisayobello) August 22, 2017
A whole Lion King who was supposed to come back and chase out the hyenas and jackals. ??????
Garba Shehu & Femi Adeshina can’t make heaven. https://t.co/cgMdiMdHlP
— Babanla (@biolakazeem) August 22, 2017
Garba Shehu
Lai Mohammed
Femi AdesinaAnd we genuinely thought Dame Patience was entertaining ?
This one na Season Film. ?????????????????
— VoN (@frenemic) August 22, 2017
My autocorrect always turn “Garba” to “Garbage” whenever I want to type Garba Shehu. I don’t know why.
Goodnight Nigeria.
— Okey Anya (@realOkeyAnya) August 22, 2017
“The president is working from home because we are renovating his office. Rodents ate AC wires in his absence”- Garba Shehu. Incredible!
— Chi-babe! (@cutechyoma) August 22, 2017
