Presidency reacts after Emir of Qatar rejected Buhari’s proposed visit

Few days ago, report had surfaced in the media that President Muhammadu Buhari’s proposed visit dates to Qatar were rejected by the Qatari government last month. In the report by Sahara Reporters, it was stated that the Emir of the State of Qatar, Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, rejected Buhari’s proposed visit to the country, and asked him to request another date next year.

According to the report – “After over three months without a word, the State House wrote directly to the Qatar Embassy in Abuja to inform them that President Buhari wants to visit from 11-12 September 2022. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs was not involved. Our Embassy in Doha, capital of Qatar, was not also consulted.”

The presidency has clarified that Qatar rejected Buhari’s request to visit the country because of the World Cup which is just about two months from now.

In the statement which was released by President Buhari’s media aide, Shehu Garba, he said that the dates were too close to the World Cup, and that the planned visit was at the instance of the Emir of the State of Qatar, and not at the instance of the Nigerian Government.

According to the report which was made by Peoples Gazette, Shehu Garba said that the Qatari government had written to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, informing them that the dates for the proposed visit dates were not suitable, and asked that visit should be fixed in the first quarter of 2023.

He said – “The Qatari explained that the dates chosen by Nigeria were too close to the World Cup tournament which is being hosted by them.”

It should be noted that the World Cup tournament should kick off in Qatar on November 20th, and will last till December 18th.

What do you have to say about this? Feel free to share your thoughts with us.