By Muhammad Ajah
Mr. President, Nigerians warmly welcome you back home from London after
your medical vacation. You shall live long for our dear country. You shall
live to see part of your elaborate, long-term, prosperous plans and solid
foundation for national growth. Welcome ‘Baba Development’, even though
slow and steady win the race. Our hearts are gladdened, our hopes are
heightened, our fears are smoothened, our thoughts are sharpened, our
beliefs are strengthened and our future is brightened. Nigeria has a
destiny which is success and development. The time is ripe. All are
because our dear President Muhammadu Buhari has been straightened,
lightened, tightened and proven. We thank God that our President is back
to our motherland and that we did not wait for godot.
Nigerians are overwhelmingly happy. There were wild jubilations across
Nigeria. Crowds shouted “Baba Oyoyo” locally meaning “Baba welcome” in
cities and some villages across the country. Certainly, many are
frightened. Some are traumatized. Many have been shamed. Others will
surely but secretly apportion blames. Some will overtly trade blames.
Ultimately, the country will be redirected, refocused and revived. The
return of Mr. President from London on Friday 10th March, 2017 has not
only triggered the ever lively love for him by compatriots, but has also
charted a renewed course in the administration of the nation. The
challenge for the delivery of dividends of democracy has been reactivated,
the expectations from the citizenry have been rekindled and the political
will to deliver has been pricked and repackaged.
The President touched down at about 7.40 am at the Air Force Base in
Kaduna on board the Nigerian Air Force 001 before he was airlifted by Air
Force chopper to arrive at about 8.37 am at Presidential Villa where he
was received by the members of the Federal Executive Council (FEC), all
heads of security agencies and Governors Yahaya Bello of Kogi, Abdullahi
Ganduje of Kano and Abdulaziz Yari of Zamfara. He later met with them at
the First Lady’s Wing of the Presidential Villa in Abuja at a 30-minute
reception for him.
Though we have been with our leader spiritually, among prominent Nigerians
who physically welcomed the President were the Vice President, Professor
Yemi Osinbajo, the presidential chief of staff, Abba Kyari, deputy
governor of Kaduna state, Barnabas Bala, Minister of the Federal Capital
Territory, Muhammad Musa Bello, Minister of Defence, Mansur Dan-Ali,
National Security Adviser, Babagana Monguno, Director General of the
Department of State Security, Lawal Daura, the Inspector General of
Police, Ibrahim Idris, Senator Abdulaziz Nyako, all service chiefs,
presidential spokesperson, Femi Adesina who tweeted that the president
will formally resume his duties on Monday. “PMB will Monday transmit
letter to National Assembly on his return to the country. That makes his
return to work formal and constitutional,” he said.
The President had been nostalgic indeed. He said while away.
Notwithstanding the whole stress, he met the Federal Executive Council
where he thanked Nigerians for their patience and prayers and appealed for
more support, promising a rededicated life to service. He admitted that he
had never been so ill even during his long stressful military career,
noting that he feels much better and would resume duty with renewed
energy. He has, however, kicked against sending of delegations to Abuja to
welcome him.
“I have rested as much as humanly possible, I have received, I think, the
best of treatment I could receive. I couldn’t recall being so sick since I
was a young man, including the military with its ups and downs. The best
way to pay back Nigerians is to rededicate myself to serve the country and
protect the nation’s interest in order to keep the trust.”
On the powers of his vice to whom he constitutionally handed over, he said
“I am pleased that the Vice President enjoyed this break and he has to do
much more. Youth and intellect is squarely behind him, age and purely
military experience is behind me.” And for the vice president, Nigerians
and the Federal Executive Council were happy to receive the President back
in the country in a hail and hearty condition. Osinbajo proclaimed: “It is
a day of joy not only for us but for the whole country, Africa and the
world. Mr. President, I must say that personally, this has been a very
interesting few days for me. First I must say that I want to thank you
very much for the confidence reposed in me by handing over the realm of
government to me in the capacity of acting president.”
“I think more important is that you demonstrated the belief in our system
which is even more important than anything else. I want to say not only am
I, but I am sure the entire nation is grateful to you. For me I must say
that it has been an interesting period going around the nation maybe in
borrowed robes. I must say I had a very interesting and challenging time
but above all, the president gave us the good support”, he said.
The wife of the President, Mrs. Aisha Buhari who received her husband
amidst cheers from families, friends and well wishers, at
about 9am thanked Nigerians for their support and prayers for the
President. She was joined by the wife of the Vice-President, Mrs. Dolapo
Osinbajo, wives of State Governors, Ministers, family members and her
close associates.
The governors expressed happiness too. Chairman of Nigeria’s Governors
Forum, Abdulaziz Yari, welcomed the president on behalf of the 36
governors of Nigeria. Information Minister, Lai Mohammed described the
president’s return as a vindication of their position, thanking Nigerians
for their prayers and VP Osinbajo who gave cabinet members a sense of
belonging. The Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Abayomi Gabriel Olonishakin
gave assurance of the military’s renewed commitment to achieve the
president’s desire on national security. The Head of the Civil Service of
the Federation, Mrs. Winifred Oyo-Ita, expressed happiness and urged
Nigerians to continue to pray for their leaders to enable them deliver
good governance to the people.
Millions of Nigerian jubilated on hearing about his return. Brief contacts
with several citizens across the country showed the ecstasy with which he
was received by countrymen in their respective states and the unalloyed
support they have for him. Some exchanged beautiful messages
congratulating themselves and also praising God for the life of the
president and his safety return back to Nigeria. Others thanked God and
prayed for steady good health for the president which they believed has
been a kind of disruption to his focused strategies to reclaim Nigeria for
Nigerians. One of my friends when I released the news to him was short of
words. He simply replied saying: “If God be with our President, who can
stand against him?”
In Kano, Kaduna, Katsina, Ebonyi, Rivers, Bayelsa, Oyo, Imo, Enugu, Cross
River, Lagos and Ondo, amongst others, the general retort was “Thank God,
our president is back”. Madam Eberechi Okoh shouted: “Halleluiah, Jesus is
Lord.” Luke Bonmene and Rosemary Okiri exploded in corroboration: “We are
glad that President Buhari returned to Nigeria alive! We pray and hope for
his quick recovery.” Adebayo Adeniyi said: “I pray for the president and
wish that his first action will be building medical centers, hospitals all
over the country that will provide the type of care he received in
overseas hospitals. Having such hospitals in every state, he said, will be
a major accomplishment. Such will save millions of Nigerian lives. Such
will allow future presidents and other officials to stay within the
country when sick. “A nation gains nothing when their leaders do not
provide them with adequate healthcare. Nigerians love money but they do
not know how to use the money. Thus they die needlessly amidst the very
wealth they spend so much time acquiring.” For majority of friends from
the north, “sai baba and Alhamdulilaahi baba is back” were their words.
The Abuja-Nasarawa road was shut down as Nigerians celebrated the
President’s return. They chanted “sai baba” in vehicles and on bikes and
caused serious holdup on the way. Some poured sachet-water commonly called
“pure-water” on themselves or on one another as some chanted “baba is
back, mai sugudu sugudu” meaning “those who want to run should run”. That
is for those who wished otherwise for the president or have skeletons in
their cupboards. Police and soldiers were, however, standing by to
forestall any breakdown of law and order, though they scared them at times
with gun sounds.
Moreover, the All Progressives Congress (APC) joined compatriots in
welcoming him back. In a statement issued by its National Publicity
Secretary, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, the party commended the President for
following due process by properly handing over power to Vice President
Osinbajo, which naturally saved the country the needless controversies and
crisis that Nigeria experienced in the past. We can recall the
controversies and tension the Umaru Musa Yar’Adua’s saga caused the
nation. Therefore, the ruling party lauded Osinbajo for competently
holding forte on behalf of his principal and for his loyalty and
commitment to the party’s ‘Change Agenda’.
At the National Mosque Abuja, the area usually reserved for top government
dignitaries was virtually vacant which was an indication that all were at
the Aso Rock Mosque to have a physical glimpse or touch of Mr. President.
The President, however, did not attend the Jum’at prayer at the Aso Rock
Mosque. So the government officials were left in disappointment.
Though the president may not be willing to utilize precious times in
receiving delegations from states and organizations which may soon begin
to troop into Abuja to show solidarity, the APC leader, Asiwaju Bola
Tinubu is said to have assembled all the Yoruba Obas to go in his
delegation to welcome Buhari. It is reported that they will depart to
Abuja after consulting with the Emirs. Some states might be closed in
coming days to show allegiance and to welcome Mr. President. Some may
declare public holidays. Some state may employ other means. The crux of
solidarity in this regard is total support to the President in fighting
treasury looters, recovery of national assets and funds and rebuilding the
national economy. Corrupt politicians should sincerely return stolen
commonwealth to show solidarity and support to President Buhari’s
leadership. Hypocritical interfaces, eco-political manipulations and
parochial tinges must be limited. As Nigerians stood behind, are happy for
the president’s health and safe home return, let justice and fairness in
governance prevail.
Muhammad Ajah is an advocate of humanity, peace and good governance in
Abuja. E-mail mobahawwah@yahoo.co.uk.