Kano State Governor, Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, has become the latest high-profile political figure to talk with President Muhammadu Buhari, since he left for the UK on vacation.
Buhari called Ganduje during a special prayer session for the President, organised at the Government House, in Kano and it was put on speaker, clearly heard by the faithful who shouted “Allahu Akbar!” upon hearing the voice of the President.
Aside that it was broadcast on NTA network news at 9 Wednesday night, the telephone conversation between the Kano State governor and the holidaying President was also confirmed on Twitter by the Governor’s Personal Assistant on Media and Communication, Salihu Tanko Yakasai.
Yakasai wrote: “H.E @GovUmarGanduje just spoke to H.E @MBuhari on the phone live during a special prayer session at the government house Kano.
“H.E @MBuhari was on speaker phone and thanked H.E @GovUmarGanduje & the people of Kano for the prayers & said he is much better now.”
President Muhammadu Buhari during the phone conversation with Governor Abdullahi Ganduje, also heard by the people on speaker, thanked the people of Kano, who had gathered to pray for him.
The governor, who organised the special prayer gathering at Government House, Kano, asked the President how he was feeling as soon as he picked the call.
“I’m much better now and I thank you for the prayers and indeed the entire Nigerians,” Mr. Buhari said in a call placed on speakerphone near the hall’s microphone and heard by everyone in the hall.
Governor Ganduje then told the President that he was being overheard by those offering prayers for him, to which Mr. Buhari responded by expressing happiness and gratitude.
Mr. Buhari is currently in the UK on 10-day annual leave, which was recently extended to enable him complete and receive results of tests of his medical checkups based on the advice of his doctors.
The Kano government sponsored the Wednesday’s special prayers including the recitation of the Qur’an for the good health of the President and his safe return to Nigeria.
The event, which was conducted at the Africa House of the Government House, drew Islamic clerics from different sects including Izalat, Tijjaniyya and Qaddiriyya.
Before the commencement of the recitation of the Qur’an, the clerics offered special prayers, saying it is imperative for everyone to pray for the President.
Aminudeen Abubakar, the State Commandant of the Hisbah, said while offering his prayers that regardless of one’s religion, a leader deserved his followers’ prayers.
Governor Ganduje said President Buhari needed the prayers of Nigerians for quick recovery.
Mr. Ganduje said the fight against corruption started by the President was gaining momentum.
It would be recalled that the Sultan of Sokoto had led other eminent Nigerians including Emir of Ilorin, Alhaji Ibrahim Sulu Gambari, Osun State Governor Rauf Aregbesola, former Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice of Nigeria, Prince Bola Ajibola (SAN) and Deputy President-General, Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), Alhaji Sakariyau Olayiwola Babalola in a national prayer for Nigeria and President Muhammadu Buhari in Osogbo during a reception in honour of Alhaji S. O. Babalola.
