Jubilation in Daura, Presidential Villa agog as Buhari lands in Abuja

After spending 105 days in London on medical vacation, President Muhammadu Buhari returned to Abuja on Saturday.
The President’s aircraft, Air Force 001, landed at the Presidential Wing of the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport at 4:35pm.
Even before the plane landed, there was jubilation in Daura, the hometown of Buhari in Katsina State.
The Presidential Villa was also agog with activities. Being a work-free day, some workers were seen at Nigeria’s number one residence, just to have a glimpse of Buhari.
Some of them saw him last on May 7 when Buhari departed the country for the second round of his medical treatment.
Buhari was received by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, some governors and ministers at the airport.
Information and Culture Minister, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, was seen directing media affairs at the airport.
The governors at the airport included Abdullahi Ganduje (Kano); Abdulaziz Yari (Zamfara); Muhammed Abubakar (Bauchi); Abubakar Bello (Niger); Nyesom Wike (Rivers); Atiku Bagudu (Kebbi) and Deputy Governor of Kaduna State, Barnabas Bala.
Members of the National Assembly, Service Chiefs, Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Ibrahim Idris, Chief of Staff to the President, Abba Kyari, and other presidential aides were also at the airport.
They included National Security Adviser (NSA), Maj.-Gen. Babagana Monguno (rtd); the Director-General, Department of State Security (DSS), Alhaji Lawal Daura and others.
The President took a national salute from the Presidential Guards Brigade while cultural groups were also singing and dancing to welcome him back home.
Buhari went to the Presidential Lounge of the airport before moving to the Presidential Villa.
He is expected to speak to Nigerians in a broadcast on Monday at 7 a.m.
Meanwhile, residents of Daura were seen in upbeat mood, singing and dancing.
Commercial motorcyclists were not left out of the jubilation across many streets in the ancient town.
Alhaji Salisu Haro, a civil servant, said the President’s return represents a ray of hope for the nation and prayed that Nigerians would support him to deliver quality leadership that would take the country to the next level.
He commended a section of the media for keeping Nigerians abreast of Buhari’s condition throughout his stay in London, adding that objective journalism would help to accelerate national development.
Alhaji Abdumanaf Daura, APC Northwest Organising Secretary, also thanked God for healing Buhari.
He berated those he called unpatriotic elements using the president’s ill health for politics and spread of baseless rumours, saying they should atone for their sins.
The politician thanked Nigerians for their resilience, prayers and understanding during the trying moments of the nation, stressing that Buhari was back into the country for good.
Nura Usman, a civil servant, expressed the hope that Buhari would continue with his reform agenda.
“We are solidly behind his crusade on corruption, insurgency and every other evil that derailed the progress of this nation.
“We have been praying for his well being and God has answered our prayers,” Usman said.
Alhaji Nura Habu, a local farmer, said the residents would organise special prayers to celebrate the return.
Mr Chukwu Emeka, a trader, danced on hearing the news, saying he had prayed fervently for the president’s recovery and return.
Emeka, who has lived in Daura for over 20 years with his family, said God has put to shame those wishing to see the president dead.
Malam Musa Zango, an Imam, attributed the return of the president to God, “because of Buhari’s good intention to the nation.”
He pledged that the residents would organise special prayers to thank God and protect the President from all evil machinations as he steers the affairs of the nation. 
The Presidential Villa, Abuja was also agog with activities as staff and security personnel were seen making last minute preparations to receive Buhari.
Security was, expectedly, beefed up.