National leader of All Progressives Congress (APC), Bola Tinubu, has on Tuesday, March 29 cancelled celebrations for his 70th birthday.
The event, which was holding at the Eko Hotel in Lagos on Tuesday, came to an abrupt end after Tinubu informed the guests in the packed hall that he was shelving the celebration to honour those who died after gunmen attacked an Abuja-Kaduna train on Monday.
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MDB had reported how the train was attacked by gunmen in the Kateri-Rijana area of Kaduna on Monday night. The train was said to have almost reached Rigasa, its final stop.
At least 970 passengers were aboard the train when it was attacked between Katari and Rijana communities.
Speaking shortly after his arrival at the colloquium on Tuesday, Tinubu said he cannot be celebrating and rejoicing amidst a national tragedy.
He asked the attendees to “go home and pray” for the victims of the attack.
The former governor of Lagos and APC presidential frontrunner called for a minute of silence in honour of those who lost their lives in the attack.
Some of those who graced the event were Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos; Iyiola Omisore, the APC national secretary; Aliko Dangote; Femi Otedola, among others.
Jubril Gawat, a media aide to Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, also confirmed that guests were already seated at the venue of the event at Eko Hotel and Suites when the announcement was made.
He stated;
FLASH: Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu announces the cancellation of his 70th Birthday Celebration on the Stage at Eko Hotel and Suites where guests and well-wishers were already seated for the event … Asiwaju says it calls for sober reflection and not celebration.
Gawat added;
Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu announced officially that the birthday event has been officially cancelled and everyone should go home …. Asiwaju prays that May the souls of the departed Rest In Peace.
Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu announced officially that the birthday event has been officially cancelled and everyone should go home …. Asiwaju prays that May the souls of the departed Rest In Peace. #AsiwajuAt70 pic.twitter.com/qKN0rYwkQX
— Jubril A. Gawat (@Mr_JAGs) March 29, 2022
