The Majority Leader of the House of Representatives, Mr. Femi Gbajabiamila, has faulted President Muhammadu Buhari for using Hausa language to convey his Sallah message to Nigerians.
DAILY POST reports that on Sunday, the Presidency had, first time since the President went on a medical vacation to London 51 days ago, released an audio message containing Buhari’s message to Nigerians to mark the Eid-el-Fitr, commemorating the end of Ramadan.
Reacting to the controversy trailing the audio message, Gbajabiamila flayed the President’s handlers for his choice of language in conveying his message to Nigerians.
Gbajabiamila, who is also the All Progressives Congress caucus leader in the House, told Punch that the criticisms by different groups and individuals were not unfounded.
He admitted that the President’s handlers should have ensured that the language of communication was English.
Gbajabiamila stated, “The criticism is not unfounded, but I am the leader of the House in charge of government legislative business not a Presidential handler.
“I think that question should be directed to those who handle Mr. President. But as a matter of opinion, I would have preferred he spoke in English. But, again, not every Nigerian speak English, not everyone is literate.
“Yes, at this critical time and with all that is unfolding, it would have been better to speak in the official language.
“However, moving beyond the form to the substance, at least now, we have heard Mr. President speak.”
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