… as Egyptian President assures Tinubu of continuous support
By David Oluwaseun
The President-elect, Asíwájú Bola Tinubu, yesterday made a victorious return to Lagos on Sunday where he was received by a mammoth crowd of supporters and party members after his private jet landed at the presidential wing of the MurtalaMuhammed Airport in Ikeja.
The President-elect was received by jubilant crowd which include Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu; Chief of Staff, Tayo Ayinde; former Lagos Deputy Governor, Femi Pedro; veteran politician Senator Musiliu Obanikoro; former Commissioner for Environment in Lagos, Muiz Banire and Woman Leader in the state, Jumoke Okoya-Thomas.
From the airport, Tinubu proceeded to the Iga-Iduganran palace of the Oba of Lagos, Rilwanu Akiolu, where the monarch and traditional chiefs were waiting.
The development is coming five days after the former Lagos State governor was announced the winner of the contentious presidential poll held on February 25.
Tinubu had polled 8,794,726 votes to defeat his closest rivals, Atiku Abubakar of the Peoples Democratic Party and LabourParty candidate, Peter Obi, who had 6,984,520 and 6,101,533 votes respectively.
According to a statement signed on Sunday by the media adviser of president-elect, Tunde Rahman, the President-elect shortly after his arrival, the delegation proceeded to the palace of Oba Akiolu.
Addressing the modest crowd gathered inside the palace, TInubureassured Nigerians that he would not disappoint them.
According to him, he would work assiduously for Nigeria and would not disappoint the people.
While thanking God and the people for his eventual victory, he likened the primary and election he went through to a World Cup tournament which was tricky and unpredictable.
While also thanking Nigerians for voting for him, he promised the Oba he won’t be used as a tool to disgrace the monarch.
Reacting to his homecoming, Akiolu described the President-elect as a special breed “who is destined for leadership at the very top.”
Other traditional rulers gathered at the palace were the monarch of Ikate-Elegushi Kingdom, Oba Saheed Elegushi and the Oniruof Iruland, Oba Omogbolahan Lawal.
In the meantime, President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi of Egypt has assured President-Elect Bola Tinubu of continuous support in its relations with Nigeria.
A statement from the Egyptian Presidency of Sunday disclosed that El-Sisi was speaking on the occasion of the conclusion of the Presidential and National Assembly elections.
“His Excellency Abdel Fattah El Sisi, President of the Arab Republic of Egypt, extends his sincere congratulations to the people and the Government of Nigeria on the conclusion of the Presidential and Parliamentary elections, which represented a critical step towards the consolidation of democracy in sisterly Nigeria.’’
El-Sisi said he looked forward to both countries to continue working jointly in a manner that would fulfil the aspirations of their people, and those of the entire African Continent towards more stability and prosperity.
Egypt and Nigeria have enjoyed cordial and friendly relations since 1961 when the diplomatic relations were established as testament to the excellent relationship between the late Egyptian president, Gamal Abdel-Nasser, and the first Prime Minister of Nigeria, Abubakar Balewa.
The leaders of the two countries took it upon themselves to strengthen the relationship between the two nations through continued cooperation in supporting the independence of African countries, working together on issues of common interests, and enhancing cooperation on a bilateral level
