Senator Jibrin Barau, a candidate for the Senate Presidency of the 10th National Assembly, has refuted claims that Bola Tinubu’s health issues, which have recently drawn considerable attention, could present difficulties for the incoming government.
Barau expressed his delight at the return to the country of the former governor of Lagos State.
An enormous group of jubilant friends and supporters thronged the Presidential Wing of the Nnamdi Azikwe International Airport in Abuja to welcome Tinubu when his private plane landed there.
Seyi Tinubu, his son, and his wife, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, who was also wearing a blue agbada, were with him.
Vice President-elect Kashim Shettima, House Speaker Femi Gbajabiamila, Governors Simon Lalong (Plateau), Abubakar Sani-Bello (Niger), and former Governor of Borno State Ali Modu Sheriff were among those waiting to greet him at the airport.
Adams Oshiomhole, a former governor of Edo State, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, a former chair of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Senator Abubakar Kyari, the APC’s deputy national chairman for the north, Emma Enekwu, the party’s deputy national chairman for the south and Dr Betta Edu, a national woman leader, were also present.
Addressing the tumultuous crowd who followed him home, an excited Tinubu urged them to ignore some of the speculations making the round in the last month that he was rushed abroad over his alleged ill health.
According to him, he actually left the country on March 21 for a vacation after a hectic campaign and election season.
He said, “I am happy to be back. I have rested, I’m refreshed and I’m ready for the task ahead.
“Forget about what the rumour mill may have told you. I’m strong, very strong.”
He also reassured that while in Paris, he never stopped working as he kept ‘consulting and planning’ with a view to putting together a strong team so he could hit the ground running once he assumes office on May 29.
Addressing journalists at the Presidential wing of Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja on Monday evening, Barau disclosed that he trusted the president-elect enough to know he is fit for the task ahead.
According to him, Tinubu looked fresh enough to hit the ground running after his well-deserved rest in France.
“We are all happy to see our leader, our President-elect back with his amiable wife, looking so fresh and fit and ready to hit the ground running.
“Nigerians are here in their thousands and you can see how happy they are right now. Everyone is excited to have him back. My campaign organisation and I are very glad to have him back. He has said he is back, fit, and ready for the task ahead. We know and trust him to be a man of his word. We cannot expect less,” he stated.