Mrs. Aisha Buhari, Nigeria’s First Lady, will entertain presidential contenders from all political parties to an Iftar at the State House in Abuja on Saturday.
On Thursday, an invitation to this effect was issued, instructing aspirants/guests not to bring any mobile devices with them, except their invitation cards, which would function as an access pass.
It was noted, however, that the ‘drop your phone’ command might not apply to some of the guests, like as Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, governors, and ministers.
In a telephone interview, Aliyu Abdullah, Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Office of the First Lady, said it was standard protocol for guests at events held at the White House that would be graced by either the President, Vice President, or the First Lady to be asked not to bring phones into the event.
“There is nothing here,” Abdullahi, who verified the meeting/dinner, added. When one of the three occupants of the presidency visits the Villa, this is routine operating procedure. This is meant to be enforced by the DSS if they are coming for an event.
“Whether the president hosts an event, the vice president hosts an event, or the first lady hosts an event, outsiders will attend.” That is the security and protocol standard. The vice-president is exempt from this rule. “How can you expect that to apply to the vice-president, let alone ministers?” he asked.
