The Ekiti Chapter of the All Progressives Congress, APC and a coalition of civil society groups, on Monday marched through the streets of Ado Ekiti, the state capital, to celebrate the return of President Muhammadu Buhari to Nigeria after 103 days of medical vacation in London.
The coalition also knocked the state governor, Ayodele Fayose, over his attacks on the president since he left the country on May 7.
Mr. Fayose had alleged that the president was on life support since June 6, insinuating that the reports of his recovery were false.
The APC supporters, civil society groups, artisans and commercial motorcyclists, formed a huge crowd with marched from Oke Iyinmi to the party secretariat, chanting various songs to deride Mr. Fayose and the Peoples Democratic Party.
The procession also created traffic along Ijigbo and Ajilosun area, making vehicular movements difficult.
Addressing the rally, the partyโs Acting Chairman in the state, Kemi Olaleye, said God had shamed those wishing the president dead. He said Mr. Buhariโs return would rekindle the war against corruption, insurgency and secession.
Mrs. Olaleye appealed to Mr. Fayose to make good a threat he reportedly made that he would commit suicide if President Buhari returns to Nigeria hale and hearty.
โMr. Fayose has turned himself to propaganda-in-chief, but we are happy that God has shamed those who thought President Buhari wonโt return alive. With this rally, the end has come to Governor Fayoseโs reign in Ekiti,โ she said.
โThe good people of this state are not in support of Fayoseโs action, because we are cultured and compassionate people.
โLook at the Governor of Rivers State, Mr. Nyesom Wike, he went to Abuja to welcome the president back to Nigeria. That was a show of maturity, why was our governor not learning from this?
โWe are solidly behind President Buhari even beyond 2019. And we are pleading with Nigerians to discountenance whatever Fayose has been saying against the president. He was not speaking for us, he only spoke for himself.โ
Mrs. Olaleye added that Ekiti was tired of โone day, one troubleโ under Mr. Fayose, saying the next poll would mark the end of the governorโs dominance in the state.
The state chairman of the Conference of Nigerian Political Parties, Tunji Ogunlola, speaking on behalf of the civil society groups, praised Nigerians for praying for Mr. Buhariโs quick recovery.
He said prayers by Nigerians helped the medical team to achieve success in the treatment of the president.
โNigeriaโs collective destiny cannot be aborted by a tiny group of crooks whose survival depend on the looting of our commonwealth,โ he said.
โIt is on this strength that we believe the Presidentโs return presents a fresh hope for the accomplishment of our collective dream for a great nation as hr settles down to work.
โOur hope to tackle corruption and grown the nationโs through economic transformation that will create jobs for our teeming youths have been rekindled with Buhariโs return.
โIt was gratifying that those who wanted Buhari dead has been put to shame and we warn that this new sheriff that just returned to town will as usual has no patience for looters and conmen in government.โ
Also, the APC in Ondo State, in a statement by the Director of Publicity, Steve Otaloro, rejoiced with Nigerians on the return of President Muhammadu Buhari.
โYou shall live to see part of your elaborate, long-term, prosperous plans and solid foundation for national growth,โ he said.
โOur hearts are gladdened, our hopes are heightened, our fears are smoothened, our thoughts are sharpened, our beliefs are strengthened and our future is brightened. Nigeria has a destiny which is success and development.
โWe thank God that you are back to our motherland. Nigerians are overwhelmingly happy. There were wild jubilations across Nigeria, In cities and villages across the country.
โWith the return of Mr President, certainly, many will be frightened. Some would be traumatised. Many would be shamed. Others will surely but secretly apportion blames.
โSome will overtly trade blames and excuses because of their stance and statements of playing God over your health. We (APC) however, have been vindicated. Ultimately, our country will be redirected, refocused and revived.โ
