The Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Mallam Garba Shehu, made this declaration on Saturday in a statement.

The statement came against the backdrop of the criticisms that greeted Daura’s view expressed in an interview with BBC, Hausa Service.

Daura who is Buhari’s older nephew was attacked by critics who argued that he should have expressed such opinion before the president was elected.

In the statement by Shehu, the Presidency said Daura’s comment was his personal opinion which he was entitled to, and not that of Buhari.

The statement reads:

“We have received numerous requests for comments on the interview granted by Malam Mamman Daura, President Muhammadu Buhari’s nephew to the BBC Hausa Service.

“It is important that we state from the onset that as mentioned by the interviewee, the views expressed were personal to him and did not, in any way, reflect that of either the President or his administration.

“At age 80, and having served as editor and managing director of one of this country’s most influential newspapers, the New Nigerian, certainly, Malam Mamman qualifies as an elder statesman with a national duty to hold perspectives and disseminate them as guaranteed under our constitution and  laws of the land. He does not need the permission or clearance of anyone to exercise this right.

“In an attempt to circulate the content of the interview to a wider audience, the English translation clearly did no justice to the interview, which was granted in Hausa, and as a result, the context was mixed up and new meanings were introduced and/or not properly articulated.

“The issues discussed during the interview, centred around themes on how the country could birth an appropriate process of political dialogue, leading to an evaluation, assessment and a democratic outcome that would serve the best interest of the average Nigerian irrespective of where they come from.

“These issues remain at the heart of our evolving and young democracy, and as a veteran journalist, scholar and statesman, Malam Mamman has seen enough to add his voice to those of many other participants.”

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In a statement on Sunday signed by Mr. Yomi Odunuga, his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Omo-Agege particularly charged Muslims to emulate the life of the Prophet (SAW).

The lawmaker representing Delta Central Senatorial District stated that it was only by so doing that unity and peace could be attained.

He was upbeat that the important Islamic ceremony of Eid-el-Maulud would help to promote religious tolerance, peaceful coexistence and mutual harmony among all Nigerians.

“Prophet Muhammad preached peace, truthfulness, faithfulness and he eschewed all vices including corruption and bitterness. Muslims should stick to his preachings. The Prophet was a complete man of peace,” he said.

Senator Omo-Agege wished Muslim faithful and indeed all Nigerians a glorious Eid-el Maulud.

Also, the Deputy President of the Senate has congratulated elder statesman, Alhaji Mamman Daura, on the occasion of his 80th birthday.

In a congratulatory message personally signed by him, he described the octogenarian as a “pillar of strength and inspiration to many.”

The message reads: “I heartily rejoice with you as you cross yet another milestone to become a truly distinguished octogenarian – a fountain of inspiration and wisdom to many individuals from all walks of life.

“In a continent where being elderly inspires reverence and where foreign ‘experts’ put life expectancy at a few decades less, reaching such milestone along with the accrued experiences over the years means a lot to family, friends and the society.

“The focus, humility and strength of character that you have built over the past decades during which you traversed the Civil Service, Journalism and the Banking System have helped to make you a formidable pillar of support for our nation’s dear President in handling historically weighty issues of the State.”

Omo-Agege prayed God to grant him more productive years ahead.

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