From Juliana Taiwo-Obalonye, Abuja
Abuja city centre is always very quiet during weekends. The reason behind this is not far-fetched. Many workers who make the capital city thick always travel out of the city at weekends. Many others who reside in the satellite towns do not have any business coming to the city centre at weekends. That situation always leaves many parts of the FCT deserted on Saturdays and Sundays.
This however changed abruptly on Saturday with the early morning announcement that President Muhammadu Buhari who had been outside the country on medical grounds since May 7 was on his way back to Nigeria.
Within a twinkle of an eye, the atmosphere changed. And as the time his presidential jet was due to land at the Presidential Wing of the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport drew nearer, crowd of Nigerians willing to give him a rousing welcome kept increasing in a manner that was intimidating and scary.
If anybody had doubts before now concerning the popularity of the 74-year old President among Nigerians that was put to rest on Saturday when his jet landed at exactly 4:36pm.
The atmosphere was carnival-like. Supporters poured into the Umaru Musa Yar’Adua Expressway leading to the airport. The supporters danced in jubilation for Buhari’s return.
While they waited, they danced, sang, pulled dangerous stunts, including running into the expressway, sitting on top moving vehicles. Kids as young as three or four were seen running excitingly into the expressway oblivious of the danger of being ran over. Motorists were forced to go on a snail speed but they also joined in chanting ‘Sai Baba, Baba Oyoyo!’
The supporters in their thousands flooded the streets with brooms – representing the logo of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC). Although, they were prevented from taking over the expressway, they still begged to have a glimpse of the President.
The weather could also be said to have cooperated with them. Although cloudy at some points, rain that has characterised previous days of the week in the city did not fall while the celebration lasted.
The zero hour when NAF 001 touched down
His presidential jet, NAF 001, touched down at exactly 4:36 p.m and he disembarked at exactly 4:48p.m. He was received by the acting president, Yemi Osinbajo and other government officials at the Presidential Lounge of the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport.
Governors who received the president at the airport were the Nigeria Governors Forum (NGF) Chairman and Governor of Zamfara State, Abdulaziz Yari; Chairman of All Progressives Congress (APC) Governors’ Forum (NGF), Rochas Okorocha; Bauchi State Governor, Mohammed Abubakar; Rivers State Governor Nyesom Wike; and Governor Abdullahi Ganduje of Kano State.
Among the other dignitaries were: Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Gabriel Olonisakin; Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai; Chief of Naval Staff, Rear Admiral Ibok Ekwe Ibas; and Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshall Abubakar Sadique.
Also at the airport to receive President Buhari, were the Chief of Staff, Abba Kyari; Minister of Information, Lai Mohammed; his counterparts in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Mohammed Bello, and that of Women Affairs, Aisha Alhassan.
Others include Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Mr. Femi Adesina; Special Adviser to the President on Political Matters, Senator Babafemi Ojudu; Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Malam Garba Shehu; Personal Assistant to Buhari on Digital/Online Media, Lauretta Onochie; Senior Special Assistant on Diaspora Matters; Mrs. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, and Senior Special Assistant to the President (Office of Vice President) on Media and Publicity, Mr. Laolu Akande.
There were also lawmakers from both the Red and Green Chambers of the National Assembly among others.
Buhari, who was all smiles though appeared emaciated, looked healthy. Shortly after the national anthem was rendered, he walked into the Presidential Lounge to exchange pleasantries with those who had gathered to welcome him. He did not spend up to five minutes before heading for his waiting car. He also stopped to briefly wave at the traditional dance troupe before heading to his residence in the Presidential Villa.
These were the privileged ones, the Very Important Personalities (VIPs), who felt obligated to receive him, while they waited at the cool presidential lounge; they got served tea, water and cold drinks and what have you.
Buhari arrives the Villa
At the Villa, President Buhari was joined by the acting president and the governors including Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello, who was not at the airport.
The President’s residence which has been quiet like a ghost town suddenly came alive with activities. Aides of VIPs, presidential aides as well as those who were not privileged to be inside, were seen excitedly exchanging banters, back slapping each other as well as giving each other a ‘hi-five.’
Osinbajo speaks
Speaking with journalists at the residence of the President, Osinbajo said he was not surprised at the reactions of Nigerians, saying it was quite clear that Nigerians were excited to have the president back in the country.
“As you can see from the many Nigerians who lined up on the road to receive the President as he came back, many Nigerians are happy that the President is hale and hearty and that he has come back.
“It was a natural reaction, most people heard of his arrival only a few hours before then, but as you can see, the response was so spontaneous. So, I think that people were so exited and very happy,” he stated.
Governor Wike, others speak
An excited Wike also told newsmen that it was unnecessary to play politics with the president’s health.
“We are happy that he is alive and that is why l am here today to rejoice with the family. We should not play politics with everything. We are here talking about health and irrespective of the party l belong to, you can see that I am here today to rejoice with the family. That is what it is supposed to be. Don’t play politics with health issues. Don’t do that. So, irrespective of what is going on out there, one is happy to be here,” he stated.
On his part, Bello linked the recovery of the president to that of the nation, which he noted was recovering from its economic crisis, saying it was symbolic.
“The message to Nigerians is that the recovery and recuperation of the President is in some sense symbolic of the recovery of Nigeria. Nigeria is going to recover. We are on the path of strong economic recovery and this is an excellent sign that the country is on the right side. There is hope. There is great excitement and we are going to make it as a nation,” he said.
Waiting at the airport
At the airport while awaiting the President’s arrival, dignitaries were excited when approached by newsmen to react to the return of the President.
Presidential Spokesman in his reaction denied that his return was prompted by the recent protests led by Charley Boy (Charles Oputa” and Dele Adeyanju of ‘OurMumuDonDo’ group calling for his return or resignation. The protest spread to the United Kingdom and New York last week. But Adesina said he knew about the President’s return some days earlier.
“The return of the President has nothing to do with the protest. It is about continuing with the work he started. Some of us knew about his return some days back. Remember that the acting president held on effectively and they will continue the work together. We left the work of announcement with the managers of the acting President,” Adesina said.
Yari, on his part said Buhari’s return would impact positively on the economy and the security sector. He added that Nigerians will notice the difference between when he was away and when he is around.
According to him, despite the fact that Osinbajo did a good job at coordinating affairs when his boss was away, there would be clear difference when the head is around and takes decision. He said the President would impact seriously on the economy likening his absence to when the head is cut off from the body, adding that it hardly functions.
“It will impact seriously because it is just like a body when the head is cut off, the body will not make any meaningful achievement. The fact that he has a vibrant Vice President who can work effectively when he is not around does not mean it can be compared with when he is around and the two of them are around. It will impact on the economy and it will impact on the security, it means so many things will change.”
Ganduje on his part said President Buhari’s return would “impact on the socio economic activities in the country because now that the number one decision maker is now around, he and his deputy will take decision together and things will be done in a quicker way. We will see improvement.
“It will also impact on security, there is no doubt about that because there are certain decisions you know the acting President will have to communicate him but now that he is coming back, that would no longer be necessary.”
If Buhari’s popularity is to be judged by the kind of a rousing welcome he received from Nigerians -young and old, female and male, wealthy and average men-on Saturday, then it will not be wrong to say that he remains the people’s President.