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.”
By Ameh Comrade Godwin
