Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar on Friday joined President Muhammadu Buhari at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, for the Jumat prayers.
That was the first time the former vice president would be seen publicly inside the Presidential Villa since Buhari took over from former President Goodluck Jonathan.
He was driven into the forecourt of the villa through the Service Chiefs’ Gate from where he trekked into the mosque located at the back of the President’s office for the service.
Although he met with Buhari during the prayers, there was no formal meeting between the two leaders before or after the service.
He did not speak with journalists at the end of the service.
The Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Mahmud Mohammed, also joined Muslim faithful for the prayer.
Buhari had, shortly after relocating to the Presidential Villa, stopped taking part in the Friday prayers inside the National Mosque located in the Central Business District of the Federal Capital Territory.
The Presidency had issued a statement explaining that the President resolved to be holding the Friday prayers inside the seat of power to reduce the difficulties always encountered by residents whenever he needs to pray at the National Mosque because of the restrictions always placed on their movements.
Since then, the population of those joining the President for the prayers inside the Presidential Villa had been increasing.
