Buhari Did Not Order Closure Of Aso Rock Villa Chapel – Presidency

The Presidency has laughed off a report by online media house THE TRENT claiming that President Muhammadu Buhari ordered the closure of the Aso Rock Villa chapel on Sunday.

It would be recalled, the Media house had on Thursday, September 3, 2015, written that President Buhari moved against Christian religious activities within the precincts of the Aso Rock presidential villa.

The Aso Rock Villa Chapel serves as the official church of Aso Rock where Christian activities inside the presidential villa are conducted.

Photo credit: The Trent

An eyewitness who spoke to The Trent on condition of anonymity, disclosed that heavily armed men stormed the Aso Rock Chapel on Sunday, August 30, 2015 denying worshippers access to the church.

“Normally, services begin by 7am at the church. But when we got there, we met armed security men who said we cannot enter. They said they were acting on orders from above. We waited outside till a few minutes past 8am before they allowed us to enter,”the source disclosed.

A visibly embarrassed Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, who worships at the Villa Church, arrived the Chapel and could be seen managing to conceal a worried expression over the incident.

However, when contacted, the Presidential Spokesman, Garba Shehu claimed he was not aware of the incident.

“What you are telling me is news to me. I am not aware of this issue. There is a lot we are dealing with and I hope you are aware the church was handed over to Vice President Osinbajo. So please call Prince Laolu Akande, his spokesman to confirm this issue,” he said.

In response to the claim, Laolu Akande, media aide to Vice President Yemi Osinbajo tweeted:

It was learnt that efforts to reach Laolu Akande failed as his phone lines were unreachable at the time of filing in this report.