President Muhammadu Buhari on Tuesday told the National Assembly that he was suffering from cold.

He attributed his ailment to his “hard work as the President of the country.”

Buhari disclosed this while presenting 2020 Appropriation Bill to a joint session of the National Assembly in Abuja.

Immediately after observing protocols and before presenting details of the bill, the President apologised for his voice.

He said, “Before I proceed to read the details of the budget, let me apologise for my voice.

“As you can hear in my voice, I have cold because I am working hard.”

The comment attracted loud laughter and applause from all those inside the chamber, including President of Senate, Mr Ahmad Lawan; Speaker of House of Representatives, Mr Femi Gbajabiamila, federal lawmakers, state governors, members of Federal Executive Council and leaders of ruling All Progressives Congress, among others.

Speaker of House of Representatives, however, sympathised with the President on his cold.

“Mr President, sorry about your cold,” Gbajabiamila told the President while delivering his address shortly after Mr Buhari presented the 2020 Appropriation Bill to a joint session of the National Assembly.

PT