Following reports that President Muhammadu Buhari two Saturdays ago declined to see Governor Umar Ganduje of Kano State when he came calling to pay Eid el Kabir homage, the Presidency has denied that such a snub took place.
Media reports had said when Ganduje came, the President was said to have told his aides that he was in his country home in Daura to see friends and family and not politicians.
The reports stated further that those in the convoy of the advance team were advised to leave the country home area.
One online publication quoted a source in the Kano State Governor convoy: “After briefly conferring with some few of them in the car, the governor nevertheless decided to proceed to Daura to greet Buhari’s sister and watch the Durbar.”
But presidential spokesman, Femi Adesina, debunked the story on Monday.
A statement he signed said: “The attention of the Presidency has been drawn to incorrect reports that President Muhammadu Buhari refused to grant audience to Gov. Abdullahi Ganduje of Kano State during the recent Eid-el-Kabir holidays, which the President observed in his hometown, Daura, Katsina State.
“The report is perhaps the antics of mischief makers, who wish to score cheap political points against the Kano State governor.
“The President had received Gov. Ganduje, along with others, a few weeks ago in London, and the Kano State governor had also welcomed the President, alongside many others, on his return to the country on August 19. Why would such a person then be snubbed, as being reported, particularly on social media?
“Gov. Ganduje had visited Daura during the Sallah holidays to commiserate with the Emir of Daura, His Royal Highness Faruk Umar Faruk, who had recently lost his younger brother, Barde n’Daura. The governor then used the opportunity to be part of the Eid-el-Kabir celebration.
“There is absolutely no reason for President Buhari to have snubbed Gov. Ganduje, or anybody else for that matter. It is not in the character of our President.”