Osinbajo, Saraki, Dogara absent at Buhari’s 74th birthday

President Muhammadu Buhari yesterday celebrated his 74th birthday within the confines of the Aso Rock Presidential Villa in Abuja.

The low-key event, which lasted barely 30 minutes, was marked at the forecourt of the President’s Office.

Our correspondent reports that Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, Senate President Bukola Saraki and House of Representatives Speaker Yakubu Dogara were absent at the ceremony.

Members of the National Assembly were also absent; while the judiciary was equally not represented.

Highlights of the event included a military parade and guard of honour mounted by men of the Guards Brigade.

The president signed his birthday anniversary register and released 74 pigeons, signalling peace.

President Buhari, who said he was impressed, described the drill as efficient.

Buhari later headed for the International Conference Centre, Abuja where he attended the 50th Ordinary Session of the Authority and Heads of State and Government of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).

The president’s birthday ceremony was graced mainly by service chiefs and few members of the Federal Executive Council, (FEC), including Secretary to the Government of the Federation Babachir David Lawal, Chief of Staff to the President Abba Kyari and Information Minister Lai Mohammed.

The Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity Femi Adesina, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity Garba Shehu and the Permanent Secretary of the State House, Jalal Arabi, were also in attendance.

Also present were the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Gabriel Abayomi Olonishakin and Chief of Army Staff (CAS), General Tukur Yusuf Buratai as well as other service chiefs.