Tinubu returns amid the storm generated by the endorsement of some lawmakers as leaders of the 10th National Assembly.
By Emma Ogbuehi
The president-elect, Bola Tinubu, returned to Nigeria on Saturday from his one-week working visit to France.
The private jet of the former governor of Lagos State landed at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja at about 2.15pm.
His return to Nigeria is eight days to his inauguration as Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
He was welcomed by his supporters, party members and some governors.
Among those at the airport to welcome him were the Vice-President-elect, Senator Kashim Shettima; Governor Abdullahi Ganduje; Senate President, Ahmad Lawan, and the ruling party’s anointed candidate for the post of Senate president in the 10th Assembly, Senator Godswill Akpabio.
Dressed in a blue ‘Babaringa’ and his trademark cap to match, Tinubu was accompanied by his wife, Senator Oluremi, who was also robed in a matching blue attire.
His associates said the president-elect departed Nigeria to avoid unnecessary pressures and distractions while he continues to fine-tune his transition programmes and policy options with some of his key aides.
A statement signed by his media aide, Tunde Rahman, disclosed that the President-elect would also spend his stay engaging with investors and other key allies with the goal of marketing investment opportunities in the country.
Before embarking on the trip, Tinubu met with the candidates endorsed by the All Progressives Congress for Speaker and Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas and Benjamin Kalu.
While in France, Tinubu met with Senator Rabiu Kwankwaso, Presidential Candidate of the New Nigerian Peoples Party (NNPP), and former Emir of Kano, Alhaji Muhammadu Sanusi.
The meeting generated tension back home, with some Kano APC chieftains threatening to withdraw support for the president-elect if he implements one of the decisions arrived at in France.
But Ganduje was among the dignitaries who went to the Abuja airport to welcome Tinubu back home.
Tinubu also had a telephone call with the US Secretary of State, Antony Blinken, while he was in France.
Tinubu is expected to join President Muhammadu Buhari and other dignitaries for the official opening of the Dangote Refinery complex in Lagos on Monday.
Tinubu returns amid the storm generated by the endorsement of some lawmakers as leaders of the 10th National Assembly.
During a protest by aggrieves aspirants, Senator Abdullahi Adamu, National Chairman of the APC, had said the National Assembly leadership list would be reviewed.
