El-Rufai, deputy lead Buhari’s supporters rally in Kaduna

THOUSANDS of pro-Buhari supporters, on Tuesday, blocked major roads in Kaduna metropolis and its environs celebrating the return of President Muhammad Buhari to the country.

The supporters, who were holding placards with different inscriptions, started the procession from Ahmadu Bello Way to Constitution Road.

The activities of the pro-Buhari protesters grounded business activities and transportation in the metropolis as commuters had to trek for long distance before they could get taxi or bus to go to their destinations.

The protesters also defied the downpour witnessed in the early hours of Tuesday to come out and show their solidarity and support for the president.

Around 1:30p.m., the state governor, Mallam Nasir el-Rufai and his deputy, Barnabas Bantex, joined the pro-Buhari protesters.

The state governor, who was accompanied by other government officials including the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Alhaji Abbas Balarabe; Chief of Staff, Alhaji Bashir Saidu; commissioners and special advisers, stop intermittently to greet the crowd and dance to the rhythm of the music provided by the popular All Progressives Congress (APC) Hausa musician, Dauda Rarara.

Addressing the crowd later at the Murtala Square, Kaduna, Governor el-Rufai thanked God for sparing the life of President Buhari.

He said the president meant well for the country and that he should be supported by all.

In a related development, Sokoto State pilgrims observing the 2017 pilgrimage in Saudi Arabia have offered special prayers for continued good health of President Muhammadu Buhari and peaceful coexistence of the nation.

This was contained in a statement signed by Governor Aminu Tambuwal’s Special Adviser on Media and Public Relations, Malam Imam Imam, and made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Tuesday in Sokoto.

The statement said the special prayer, which was performed at the Grand Mosque in Mecca, also had in attendance pilgrims from other states who expressed pleasure at the effort of the Sokoto delegation.

“Our pilgrims joined other well-wishers during a special prayer session for the health of the president, stability of their state as well as peaceful coexistence of the nation,” the statement said.

The statement also added that the prayer session was led by Islamic scholars, who expressed happiness over the return of the president from his medical vacation in the UK.

“The pilgrims expressed delight at the safe return of the president, and also prayed to Allah to give him strength to execute the mandate to develop the country,” it said.

“As for Sokoto State, the pilgrims and their officials commended Governor Aminu Tambuwal and the state pilgrims welfare agency, for the arrangements put in place to ensure a smooth and successful hajj exercise,’’ the statement added.