ABBA KYARI’S BURIAL: Nothing we could do to bar uninvited crowd —Presidency

The Federal Government of Nigeria has reacted to condemnations of the unprofessional conduct during the burial rites of President Muhammadu Buhari’s former Chief of Staff, Mallam Abba Kyari at the Gudu Cemetery, Abuja.

Garba Shehu, the President’s aide on Media and Publicity who was speaking to newsmen in Abuja on Saturday said that there was nothing they could do to bar uninvited crowd that attended the burial.

Speaking further, Garba Shehu explained further that the burial was delayed in their attempt to maintain social distancing but had to proceed as more people kept trooping to the cemetery

READ ALSO: COVID-19: Officials disinfect cemetery after public outcry over govt’s unprofessional conduct during Abba Kyari’s burial (Video)

He said; “Was there any invitation for the public to come for the burial? Go back to my Twitter handle and read what I posted. From 10am, when we picked up the body at the airport, we sent a message out that the funeral will be private and that the public should please go and pray for Abba Kyari.

“We also said no condolence visits to the President and family. What can we do? Are we going to invite soldiers to flog people who came to pay their last respect to the man?

“We didn’t invite people. We were trying to move people back and observe social distancing and it was delaying the funeral. We just have to do it because people are not ready to leave. What are we going to do?” he asked.

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