The Kogi state government has said that marking a day for the celebration of President Muhammad Buhari who returned from his prolonged medical trip to the United Kingdom should not have ruffled any feathers.
The director general, media and publicity to the governor, Kingsley Fanwo, said Governor Yahaya Bello marked the holiday in order to celebrate the President returning back to Nigeria alive.
The DG said the holiday would also offer Kogilites an opportunity to pray and fast for the President’s health to get even better.
In a related development, the Igala Consultative Forum on Monday condemned the decision of the Kogi state governor, Alhaji Yahaya Bello, to declare a public holiday over the return of Buhari from medical vacation.
The national secretary of the forum, Sam Ugbede, said it was surprised at the action of the governor.
He said, “The ill health of our president was of great concern to all Nigerians, and across all religions, and we all remained eternally grateful to God for answering our collective prayer, by granting our leader with abundant health, the Buhari we saw, we are all happy but our surprise is the declaration of public holiday by the government of Kogi state suddenly, what is it for?”
“He came back during the weekend, which is traditional public rest period, why extending it to Monday again? When Monday’s are usually busy day, we did not see any reason or meaning for such restriction.”
“The lacuna this unthinkable decision is enough to cost Kogi economy colossal amount and lives of innocent patient who are scheduled for various medical services today.”
“There is no how this accidental holiday will not cost someone somewhere in Kogi his or her life, don’t be surprise that more lives could go.”
“We view this decision of the Kogi governor as immaturity of the highest order and uncalled for!”
Buhari was on sick holiday for about 104 days, more than same period our Kogi was on holiday as the government under this man was brought to a halt, the activities of Kogi in particular has been grounded for almost 18 months now, because since the beginning of this administration of Bello, nothing seems to be working.
“As we are talking, our citadel of learning are under lock and key, the civil service is in disarray, our economy is the state of decadence paralysis, our state of being is at the mercy of God, complete breakdown of law and order, lawlessness everywhere, the state is under siege by terrorists.”
But the government said it was unfortunate that “those condemning it choose to take Panadol for our headache”.
“They should join us to celebrate the Lion of Africa and stop politicizing an act of patriotism on the part of the Governor.
“The Governor had a health and celebratory walk today and visited the Specialist Hospital where he declared free medical care for all patients on admission. To the beneficial families, it was a great day.”
“God forbids, if Mr. President had died, many states would have declared many days of mourning. But Kogi only declared one day to thank God for saving our President’s life. Are some people angry that Mr President is back, hale and hearty to continue to fight corruption?”