May 29: I’m strong, ready for task — Tinubu

…Debunks speculations of ill health

…Says working on plans, consultations for choice of appointments

…Political lobbying for appointments, National Assembly leadership shoots up

President-elect, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, Monday evening, returned to Nigeria from Paris, France, expressing readiness for the task ahead upon the May 29th handing-over.

His assurance after the trip which lasted for over a month, deflated speculations that he must have been receiving treatment abroad on grounds of ill health.

Recall that the President-elect who departed for Paris on March 21 was officially said to have gone to take a rest from the long stretch of campaign activities towards the general elections, though speculations from some quarters were on the row that he was outside the Country for medical attention to illness.

Returning on Monday, Tinubu who alongside his wife, Sen. Remi Tinubu and son Seyi Tinubu, were received by a crowd of associates and supporters who converged at the Presidential Wing of the Nnamdi Azikwe International Airport, Abuja where his plane landed, discredited the rumours making rounds that he was sick to have tarried long outside the Country, saying he was “happy,” “have rested,” “refreshed” and “ready for the task ahead.”

Addressing the crowd, the President-elect said, “I’m happy to be back. I have rested, I’m refreshed and I’m ready for the task ahead.

“Forget about what the rumour mill may have told you. I’m strong, very strong.”

On his plans for the Country, he said he had been consulting and planning to put together a competent team in order to hit the ground running upon assumption of office on May 29.

Among those at the airport to receive Tinubu were Vice President-elect Kashim Shettima, Speaker of the House of Representatives,  Femi Gbajabiamila as well as Governors Simon Lalong (Plateau) and Abubakar Sani-Bello (Niger), as well as former Borno State Governor, Ali Modu Sheriff.

Also at the airport were former Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Mallam Nuhu Ribadu the All Progressives Congress (APC) Deputy National Chairman, North, Senator Abubakar Kyari, Deputy National Chairman, South, Barrister Emma Enekwu, and National Woman Leader, Dr. Betta Edu.

Also were Senators Barau Jibril, Adeola Olamilekan, Opeyemi Bamidele, Dayo Adeyeye, Sabi Abdullahi and Adelere Oriolowo as well as Secretary of the recently-dissolved Presidential Campaign Council, Hon. James Faleke, Hon. Babajimi Benson and Mr. Bayo Onanuga, Director of media and publicity in the dissolved Presidential Campaign Council.

It has been gathered that much political struggles would in the next few days heighten with varying degrees of lobbying as the return of the President-elect is much awaited, particularly to strike decisions on the leadership of the 10th National Assembly and the determination of choice of nominees who would form the cabinet of the incoming government.

Although, the President-elect had earlier stated that he would make the choice of appointments into his administration based on competence  in what he described as a “government of national competence,” it was gathered there have been strong lobbying for fixture for key party members of his party, the  APC with consideration for those who were noted to have worked for the APC in the presidential election though within the camp of opposition parties.

It was gathered consideration may be given to factor in the interest of those members of opposition who worked for the victory of the President-elect at the polls.