A statement released to journalists on Sunday evening by the senior special adviser to the president on media and publicity, Shehu Garba said although there is no law that says the President is barred from holding meetings in certain sections of the vast Presidential Villa, the president only participated in the meeting as a member of the committee.
Shehu held that the council chamber from where the president participated in the said is one of his offices and his participation therefrom, was inline with coronavirus protocols which abhors meeting in crowded and public places.
He said since the President lives in the Villa, no one can choose or dictate to him where he can sit to hold meetings.
He said President Buhari placed health and safety above courtesy to the party by not going to its headquarters adding that the President need not go to the party secretariat before he can make contributions to the meeting since the emergency meeting held virtually.
The presidential spokesman said: it is true that Governors and leaders of the National Assembly joined the President from the Chamber from where he spoke, but the larger body of the members in attendance were all connected via video calls.
He was however satisfied that wise decisions were taken at the meeting including curtailing the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Shehu said the statement was to correct wrong perceptions concerning the recent meeting held by the National Executive Committee of the All Progressives Congress, APC, which he believe has, unfortunately drawn criticism due to lack of understanding.
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