The president-elect, Mr. Bola Tinubu, returned to the country yesterday after spending over one month holidaying in France and Saudi Arabia.
Tinubu, whose private aircraft landed at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja at 4.30pm was accompanied by his wife, Oluremi and son, Seyi.
Tinubu was declared winner of the February 25 Presidential election with 8, 794, 726 of the total votes cast.
He left Nigeria on March 21, and according to his handlers, to rest, relax, re-tune, rejuvenate and prepare for the inauguration of a new government on May 29.
“The President-elect decided to take a break after the hectic campaign and election season to rest in Paris and London, preparatory to going to Saudi Arabia for Umrah (Lesser Hajj) and the Ramadan Fasting that begins Thursday,” Tinubu’s spokesman, Mr. Tunde Rahman had said in a statement.
While he was away, there were speculations that he took a break to attend to his failing health.
There were also viral videos of his being sighted in Guinea.
Addressing APC faithful at his at his residence in the Asokoro area of Abuja shortly after his return, the president-elect said he is hale and hearty contrary to speculations that he was seriously ill.
“Let me take some rest for tonight after a long flight. Eat some Amala and ewedu. After that, sleep a little and then tomorrow, we’ll meet.
“Whatever they like, they speculate. I’m healthy, sound and okay,” he said.
The president-elect also said he was prepared for his inauguration on May 29, adding that he was still consulting on those who will be part of his government.
“You don’t govern alone; you govern with people. You consult, assemble and then hit the ground running,” he stated.
The president-elect was received by his deputy-elect, Mr. Kashim Shettima, speaker, house of representatives speaker, Mr. Femi Gbajabiamila Messrs Simon Lalong (Plateau State governor), Abubakar Sani-Bello (Niger State), and Ali Modu Sheriff (former governor, Borno State)
Also on hand were the former chairman, Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Mr. Nuhu Ribadu, All Progressives Congress (APC) deputy national chairman, north, Mr. Abubakar Kyari, deputy national chairman, south, Mr. Emma Enekwu, and national woman leader, Dr. Betta Edu.
There were also senators Barau Jibril, Adeola Olamilekan, Opeyemi Bamidele, Dayo Adeyeye, Sabi Abdullahi and Adelere Oriolowo as well as some members of the defunct APC presidential campaign council, Messrs James Faleke, Babajimi Benson and Bayo Onanuga.
