SOUTH EASTERN NIGERIA REACT TO PMB’S RETURN

The people of the South-east states of Nigeria have continued to react to the return of President Muhammadu Buhari after his medical vacation in London.

From Awka, the Anambra state capital, Radio Nigeria correspondent, Kevin Ekediegwu gathered that some people in the ancient blacksmith city went into jubilation when the news of President Muhammadu Buhari’s return fitled in.

One of them, Mr Kenneth Okwuchukwu, said the news would douse the tension in the polity over the health status of the President and insisted that the prayers of Nigerians for the President to return to the country safely were not in vain.

Another resident and member representing Njikoka One Constituency in the State House of Assembly, Dr Timothy Ifedioranma, expressed disappointment at the over- politicization of President Buhari’s health challenges by some Nigerians, pointing out that anybody could fall sick any time any day.

Dr Ifedioranma urged President Buhari to see what had transpired as a sign that he would live longer years on earth.

Miss Nneka Okeke, a young graduate of Banking and Finance, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, said she could not hide her joy over Mr President’s return to the country.

The residents, who said they would continue to pray for President Buhari’s health, urged him not to be distracted in his desire to provide quality leadership to the well meaning people of Nigeria.

Also, Ebonyi State residents say the return of President Mohammadu Buhari after medical vacation outside the country will further enhance efforts being made by his administration to strengthen the nation’s economy.

Speaking with our Correspondent Amechi Odo in Abakaliki, some of the residents called on President Buhari to step up his people oriented policies and programmes to ensure that Nigerians have a new lease of life.

Since January Nineteen that President Mohammadu Buhari departed the country on medical vacation, Nigerians have been curious to know the status of his health and when he will return to the country to resume his duties.

The return of Mr President has however provided answers to the question as well as keep to rest the rumour that he has been incapacitated and will no longer return to Aso Rock to continue with his constitutional responsibilities

The National Coordinator Initiative for Demonstrating Change, Comrade Chinedu Ogar described the return of Mr President as a welcome development and urged the citizens to learn to pray for their leaders instead of castigating them.

Comrade Ogar however called on President Buhari to look into the energy crisis facing the country to enhance the growth of the nation’s economy

A Former Minister of Culture and Tourism, Ambassador Frank Ogbuewu stated that the return of President Buhari would stabilize the polity but stressed the need for Nigerians to be duly informed on his health status given that he was no longer a private citizen.

However, a Legal Practitioner, Mr. Nte Oma noted that those who had misgivings with the manner information on President Buhari’s medical vacation was handled should remember that he had right to private life irrespective of the fact that he was the President of the country.

A Human Right Activist, Comrade David Aghaokoro said considering that President Buhari had taken care of his health, it was time for him to coordinate efforts towards revamping the nation’s economy.

Comrade Aghaokoro urged Nigerians to learn a lesson on the tension generated by the alleged hording of information on President Buhari’s health and seek a constitutional solution to address such matter once and for all.

Similarly, a cross section of residents of Abia state, including a trader in Ubani Ibeku Market, Mr Chinedu Okoro, and a civil servant, Mr Theodore Onyechere, expressed joy over the return of Mr President after his medical vacation in London noting that the return had cleared the doubt over the state of his health.

In an interview with Radio Nigeria in Umuahia, the Chairman Inter Party Advisory Council  IPAC in Abia State, Chief Emeka Okafor, and a Clergyman, the Reverend Sunday Chibuko, while thanking God for the safe return of President Muhammadu Buhari to the country called on Nigerians to give him the necessary support to complete the good works he had started.

In their separate contributions, the Chairman APC in Abia State, Chief Donatus Nwankpa, and a former Governorship candidate of the party, Chief Anyim Nyerere, told our correspondent, Lawrence Nwokedi that the return of President Buhari from his medical vacation was a testimony of God’s love to the people and pray God to give him more wisdom to pilot the affairs of the country to greater height.

From Enugu, the Coal city comes the report, that some residents of the city have expressed gratitude to God for answering prayers of Nigerians for safe return of President Muhammadu Buhari.

One of them, the Archbishop of Enugu Ecclesiastical Province and the Bishop of Enugu Diocese, Anglican Communion, the Most Reverend Emmanuel Chukwuma called on all Nigerians to join hands with the President in bringing the desired change.

Another respondent and applicant,  Mr.  Henry Eze expressed the hope that the President’s return would better the lot of Nigerians especially the unemployed.

Also, a concerned citizen, Mrs. Uche Onyema, commended the leadership of the Acting President Professor Yemi Osibanjo since the absence of President Muhammadu Buhari.

She further pleaded with the President to ensure completion of all on-going projects and create more employment opportunities  for the  youths.

In a reaction, Mr. Okey Orji urged President Buhari to implement measures that would improve on the economy of the country.

KEVIN EKEDIEGWU, AMECHI ODO, LAWRENCE NWOKEDI, EZINWANNE OKWUOLISA AND MAUREEN OTUKWU