The presidency on Monday explained why some aides to the President Muhammadu Bubari travelled interstate despite a ban on such movement by the Federal Government to curb the spread of coronavirus in the country.
Shehu was reacting to reports that the President’s Private Secretary and nephew, Yusuf Sabiu aka Tunde, refused to self-isolate after returning from an interstate trip.
Presidential spokesman, Garba Shehu, told Channels Television Sunrise Daily that people are allowed to move interstate once they present a compelling reason before security agents at checkpoints.
He said, “The Presidency has not failed. Don’t forget there is a caveat in that protocol. When travels are necessitated, they are permitted and even in the Villa, hardly do you have a day without somebody coming from their state whether they are governors and they come to do official business.
“Therefore, what is not permitted is frivolous and unwarranted travel. When it is warranted, the people can offer themselves at the checkpoints and once the explanations they give are convincing, they are allowed to proceed. I think this happens all over the country.”
When challenged with the fact that only essential workers were allowed to travel interstate, Shehu insisted that human beings are the ones facilitating the movement of essential goods and must move.
“We follow what the NCDC and Ministry of Health prescribe. The difference the Villa makes is that there is an eye on everyone,” he said.
When asked if Tunde, who is at the centre of the recent incident, would resume work today, Shehu responded, “If he happens to be there, I will not be surprised and if he is not, I will not be surprised.”
The police had last week arrested six aides of the First Lady, Aisha Buhari, following an altercation between them and Tunde who refused to self isolate after returning from interstate travel where allegedly met with someone who died from COVID-19 related complications.
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