The ceremonial release of white pigeons to commemorate 2021 Armed Forces Remembrance Day in Abuja by the President Muhammadu Buhari experienced a hitch as they refused to fly into the airspace at the National Arcade.
The annual rituals of throwing the doves into the air in memory of the fallen heroes of the military and symbolically for peace is the high point of the ceremonies after the laying of wreaths.
President Buhari, Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo, Senate President Ahmad Lawan, Speaker Femi Gbajabiamila and other top government functionaries and others had taken turns in wreath-laying ceremony.
Several attempts by the President to release the pigeons to fly away did not change the situation.
Persecondnews reports that the social media was awash with reactions and comments of Nigerians on the refusal of the birds to fly as Buhari opened the cage, throwing them out.
As if they had “tired legs or tied wings”, the doves landed on the cage.
However, no sooner than Buhari left the Arcade that some of the birds took their turns to fly.
In 2014 during the administration of President Goodluck Jonathan, the birds had refused to fly.
Reacting to the development, the Spiritual Director of the Adoration Ministries in Enugu, Rev. Fr. Ejike Mbaka, said it was as a sign that God had abandoned Jonathan ahead of 2015 national polls.
Morris Monye, in his comment on the social media, said:” The Department of State Services should have arrested the pigeons for embarrassing the President if they could.
“I guarantee you… If it was possible, the DSS would arrest the pigeons for such an affront on the President. But really, is there peace, harmony, and security in the land?”
Another Nigerian, @Teddy said it symbolised the state of the nation.
Also tweeting, former Minister in the Olusegun Obasanjo government and one-time Presidential aspirant, Dr Oby Ezekwesili, released a pithy: “Hmmm. Even the pigeons in Nigeria.”
For Mr Alaba Olubunmi, Nigeria needs prayers so that it can rise again.
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