To reduce hardship for Abuja residents, Buhari opts for Juma'at in Aso Villa

President Muhammadu Buhari will henceforth mostly observe the Islamic Friday Juma’at prayers at the Mosque located at the Presidential Villa, Femi Adesina, the President’s special adviser on media and publicity said on Friday.

According to Adesina, the President took the decision to reduce the hardship usually caused to the public by traffic gridlock that usually characterised the observation of the weekly prayer by the President at the National Mosque located at the Central Area of Abuja.

The roads adjourning the National Mosque which is a stone throw to Federal Secretariat are usually closed whenever the President is there to pray. 

The roads are usually closed minutes before the arrival of the President at the Mosque and till his departure as a security measure. 

The closure of the roads and diversion of traffic  usually result in heavy traffic build up, forcing motorists to avoid the area during the Juma’at prayers.

“President Buhari did so out of consideration for avoidable hardships imposed on members of the public by road closures and other security measures which Presidential  movements to the National Mosque necessitate”, Adesina said of the decision of the President.

“Accordingly, the President has decided that henceforth he will mostly observe the Juma’at prayers with other Muslims at the Presidential Villa Mosque.

“President Buhari will still join the larger Muslim Community for Friday prayers at the National Mosque and other mosques in Abuja occasionally,” Adesina concluded.