Two of President Muhammadu Buhari’s children passed away from sickle cell anaemia, he has disclosed.
Buhari, who made this revelation in a documentary shown at a private dinner hosted by his family and close friends to celebrate his 80th birthday on Friday night at the State House Banquet Hall, also referred to claims by some Nigerians that he had long since passed away and been replaced by a body double going by the name “Jibril of Sudan” as “not a funny joke.”
The president claimed that few troublemakers who enjoy creating havoc are the ones behind the malicious rumour.
Buhari responded “to a query regarding the rumour in the documentary interview. People have claimed that I am from Sudan. I didn’t give the name any thought. Nigerians like to explain themselves in sneaky ways.
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When asked if he thinks these allusions amusing, he responded, “No. Because the people who made those statements were only trying to be cheeky, it is not funny. They seek to deflect focus away from the crucial matter.
“Our main issue is to improve the infrastructure, make people aware that they need to work hard to live well. They just want to enjoy life without earning the respect of their community and so on.”
Vice President Yemi Osinbajo characterised Buhari as a straightforward, kind, and excellent leader earlier when he proposed a toast for the celebrant.
Osinbajo praised Buhari for his “great courage and devotion” in guiding the country.
Ladies and gentlemen, please join me in proposing this toast to a man who has led this nation for so many years with remarkable courage, tenacity, and commitment. He is a man who is frank, honest, good, and kind.
“We pray that the almighty God will preserve his life for very many years to come and that he will live all of these many years in good health, peace, joy and with the love of all of our countrymen.”
