President Bola Tinubu Returns to Lagos in Style, Set to Celebrate Eid-el-Kabir Festivities
After a week-long excursion to Paris and London, President Bola Tinubu arrived in Lagos on Tuesday evening, just in time for the upcoming Eid-el-Kabir celebrations scheduled for Wednesday.The distinguished statesman touched down at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Ikeja, at precisely 5:05 pm local time, where he received a warm welcome from an eager crowd of supporters who had gathered to greet him.Tinubu’s trip included attendance at a summit on A New Global Financing Pact hosted by French President Emmanuel Macron in Paris. Following this engagement, he proceeded to London for a brief private visit. Earlier reports from the Presidency had indicated that Tinubu had initially planned to return to Abuja on Saturday. However, those plans were altered, as he decided to extend his stay in the British capital.According to a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Special Duties, Communication, and Strategy, Dele Alake, Tinubu’s schedule was adjusted to accommodate the additional visit. The exact day of his return remained undisclosed in the statement, but reliable sources within the Presidency confirmed that Tinubu would be celebrating the Sallah festival, marking the end of Ramadan, at his private residence in Lagos upon his return.”I can confirm that he will be arriving in Lagos tomorrow (Tuesday), not Abuja, to observe Sallah. The holiday extends until Thursday, so he might extend his stay until Sunday or Monday next week before returning to Abuja,” the source revealed.The homecoming of President Tinubu takes place amid anticipation surrounding the unveiling of his prospective ministerial candidates. A knowledgeable source disclosed that the list is nearly finalized and will soon be submitted to the National Assembly for consideration.”I have been informed that Tinubu’s list of ministerial nominees is nearly completed. He has personally selected a core group of ministers with significant influence from his team of Special Advisers. However, tensions are rising among politicians vying for the remaining positions. It has become quite intense,” the source disclosed.Earlier this year, Tinubu’s Special Adviser, Dele Alake, had stated that the president would assemble his cabinet within a month of assuming office, in accordance with the Fifth Amendment to the Constitution. This amendment stipulates that presidents-elect and governors-elect must submit the names of their ministerial and commissioner nominees within 60 days of taking the oath of office, for approval by the Senate or state House of Assembly.Alake emphasized, “I previously mentioned in an interview that Asiwaju (Tinubu) didn’t take more than three weeks to form his cabinet when he was governor. That was the situation at that time. However, I believe 60 days is an excessive timeframe. A serious government should be able to form its cabinet and establish a governance structure within a maximum of one month, following the swearing-in.”It is worth noting that delays in appointing ministers plagued President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration in 2015, when it took approximately six months to finalize the composition of his cabinet. This protracted period elicited criticism and dissatisfaction from the Nigerian populace.In a separate development, Vice President Kashim Shettima departed from Abuja on Tuesday to observe the Eid-el-Kabir festivities in Maiduguri, Borno State. Sources indicate that he is expected to return to the capital over the weekend, following the conclusion of the celebrations.