103 Days After: President Buhari Arrives Nigeria To Grand Reception 

BY AMOS DUNIA, ABUJA – The Nigerian Air Force 001 Plane that conveyed President Muhammadu Buhari from London touched down at exactly 4:36pm on Saturday at Presidential wing of the Nnamdi Azikiwe International airport in Abuja.

The President spent about four minutes inside the aircraft before disembarking to meet a cheering crowd of government officials, APC chieftains and supporters as well as some opposition party members who were on ground to welcome him home.

He was first received on arrival by the Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo, who acted for him during his period of absence and his Chief of Staff, Abba Kyari as well as Service Chiefs, Governors, Ministers and some of presidential aides.

Immediately after salutations, President Buhari stood for the National Anthem and took salute from the Presidential Guards’ Brigade while cultural groups sang and danced to welcome him back home.

President Buhari, who appeared in traditional attires with a cap to match, later walked into the Presidential lodge where he spent about two minutes before departing for the Aso Rock Presidential Villa.

Among the governors at the airport to welcome Mr President were Chairman of the Nigerian Governors’ Forum (NGF) and Governor of Zamfara State, Alhaji Abdulaziz Yari; Chairman of APC Governors’ Forum and Imo State governor, Owella Rochas Okorocha; and Abdullahi Ganduje of Kano.

Others include Muhammed Abubakar (Bauchi), Abubakar Bello (Niger), Atiku Bagudu (Kebbi) and Barnabas Bala, deputy governor of Kaduna.

National Security Adviser (NSA), Babagana Monguno and Director General of the Department of State Security (DSS) Lawal Daura were also part of the dignitaries at the airport to welcome Mr President.

President Buhari spent a total of 103 days in London treating an undisclosed ailment and his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina had in a statement earlier on Saturday announced that the President would address Nigerians by 7am on Monday.