#NigeriaDecides: How Buhari’s campaign visit fared in Sokoto
* Buhari received in Sokoto by Tambuwal, visited Sultan
Wednesday 23 January 2019 was the day scheduled for All Progressives Congress (APC) Presidential Campaign of President Muhammadu Buhari. As planned, the day came with fanfare as Sokoto people thronged the Sultan Abubakar III Airport Sokoto to welcome the man, who is also the Chairman of Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and African Union Anti-Corruption Crusade Leader.
On arrival in Sokoto State where he visited to campaign as he seeks re-election for a second term in office. President Buhari’s presidential aircraft landed at the Sultan Abubakar III Airport, Sokoto at about 10:05 morning of the day, where he was received, as protocol demands, by Governor of the state, Alhaji Aminu Tambuwal.
Others on ground at the airport to receive the President on arrival were former Governor of Sokoto State, Aliyu Magatakarda Wamakko, a former Governor of Zamfara State, Senator Ahmed Sani Yerima, the Minister of State for Trade and Investment, who also doubles as the Minister of Women Affairs, Hajia Aisha Abubakar, and a host of top members of the APC.
After airport pleasantries, President Buhari and his entourage drove to the Palace of the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammadu Sa’ad Abubakar, where he was received by the Sultan.
In the VIP Hall of the Palace, where Sultan receives very eminent visitors from across the world, President Buhari told the nation’s number monarch his mission in the Seat of Caliphate and he, like for other political office seekers who had visited, was offered royal and fatherly advice and prayers by the Sultan, who himself is a distant-later retired General like the President.
The President later moved to the popular Shehu Kangiwa Stadium, Sokoto, where he addressed the people of the state to vote for him in the February 16, 2019 presidential election.
Crowd in Jos last Saturday was described by Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Mr. Femi Adesina, as “never seen in this fashion”, what the President Buhari’s campaign train met at the Shehu Kangiwa Stadium was however described by the same presidential adviser as ‘mother of all crowds’.
He also called on the people of the state vote for national legislators who will be seeking office to assist him at the National Assembly on the same February 16 when election of president will take place.
Accompanied National Chairman of the party, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, Co-Chairman of the APC Presidential Campaign Council Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Governor of Zamfara State Abdulaziz Yari, Governor of Lagos State Akinwumi Ambode, among others, said the Sokoto people should vote all APC candidates in the state in the general elections.
Commenting on Femi Adesina’s post of the campaign success, Michael Alade said: “PDP will disappear before the election starts. They are now seeing the writing on the wall.. Obasanjo I heard wants to travel abroad to solicit for Atiku. He can not win election in his ward and he intends going abroad to canvass for Atiku. Shame will send Obasanjo to early grave this year. Buhari is the answer.”
After the Sokoto rally, the President proceeded to nearby Kebbi State for a similar function, after which he had since returned to Abuja.
