Buhari arrives Daura as crowd throngs home
President Muhammadu Buhari Wednesday arrived at his country home in Daura, Katsina State, preferring to walk through the street from the helipad as an overwhelming crowd surged to welcome him.
The Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu, said this in a statement last night.
“The President, who was received at the helipad by the Emir of Daura, Alhaji Faruk Umar Faruk, abandoned the motorcade as a large number of people had already gathered around the helipad, snaking all the way to his house.
"An elated crowd cheered as the President walked home, screaming “baba ya da wo, baba oyoyo”, meaning “baba is back, welcome home”,Shehu said.
He said Buhari was earlier received at the airport in Katsina by the governor of Katsina State, Alhaji Aminu Bello Masari, and the Emir of Katsina, Alhaji Abdulmumini Kabir Usman, before he was airlifted with a chopper to Daura.
Shehu said the president would be spending time with his family during the Eid-elKabir.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Air Force helicopter conveying the president and members of his family landed at the airstrip at 4:45 p.m.
Buhari, looking much healthier and radiant, smiled as he waved to the mammoth crowd.
Inside the town itself, Buhari’s arrival excited many people, who broke out in prayers for his good health.
Malam Aminu Shehu, a trader who could not control his emotion, described the arrival of the president as a relief to Nigerians, especially his kinsmen who spent a year without seeing him.
He praised God that the president was looking happy and not fatigued.
“We will continue to pray for the well-being of the president’’.
Hajiya Nana Mohammed, a politician from Maiadua Local Government Area, said the president was back for the better, describing his arrival as an unprecedented home coming and “we wish him well’’.
Alhaji Abdurrahaman Danmalan, a politician and the Danmadamin Daura, described the numerous reforms introduced by the present administration as a welcome development.
He said the president was pursuing the reforms on agriculture, education, security and with vigour.
On his part, Mr Musa Mohammed, the Chairman of the Daura chapter of the NURTW, thanked God and well meaning Nigerians for their sustained prayers for the recovery of the president
He said his members would book for an appointment to see the president to formally greet and interact with him.
Alhaji Ali Rabe, the Chairman of the Daura Emirate Amalgamation of Political Associations, also told NAN that arrangement for a thanksgiving service had been concluded.
Rabe disclosed that the event would hold two days after Sallah. NAN also reports that VIPs such as governors and ministers followed Buhari into Daura.
Massive security has been mounted in and around the ancient town. infrastructure