Daura’s favourite son prepares to lead Nigeria again

After the surprisingly lax security screening, the gates opened, showing a well-tended compound, framed handsomely by tall eucalyptus trees which provided shade with their low-hanging branches and leaves. There was also a marked presence of plants and other smaller trees, making the surroundings immediately welcoming.Far from the growing crowd outside the walls, we were ushered […]

After the surprisingly lax security screening, the gates opened, showing a well-tended compound, framed handsomely by tall eucalyptus trees which provided shade with their low-hanging branches and leaves. There was also a marked presence of plants and other smaller trees, making the surroundings immediately welcoming.
Far from the growing crowd outside the walls, we were ushered into a private meeting room. After a memorable encounter with fresh Fura Da Nono, we were joined by Malam Ya’u Darazo, a long-time aide of Buhari’s. We were later taken to the president-elect’s sitting room, where he sat reading a small, neat pile of newspapers.
Also present was former editor of The Democrat, Alhaji Abba Kyari, a close aide. We had a pleasant, relaxed conversation about a bevy of topics and soon had to leave as his guests were piling up in an adjoining room.
Later in the evening, we returned. Back at the aforementioned meeting room, Buhari appeared in his trademark white, bespoke Babbar Riga, looking very relaxed and ready for our questions. After pleasantries, the interview began and during its course, his confidence was obvious. After we were done, we said goodnight and left.
Earlier, I had noticed something. During the interview, he mentioned many times that he learnt of an issue or the other on the pages of newspapers, showing a man who has tremendous respect for journalism and who reads a lot.
The next morning, after a great breakfast of Waina Da Miyar Taushe, we headed back to Buhari’s house, meeting an even larger crowd of fans outside, both young and old. This, after all, is the residence of Daura’s favourite son and Nigeria’s man of the moment. The security seemed to have been upped and as soon as we got cleared, we went in and joined the president-elect on his breakfast table. On offer were Kosai and Kunu, as well as boiled yam and stew but our host was simply sipping his trademark cup of green tea. Again, he was looking relaxed.
After a long conversation on various topics, we had to thank him and tell him goodbye, as we were leaving for Abuja that afternoon. But not before we followed him outside to see him meeting and greeting his guests.
There were a couple of special groups, near and dear to Buhari even without him saying so, both consisting of his classmates, from Elementary and Middle school. He strode over, smiling and shook their hands one after the other, calling each and every one by name and they proceeded to have a chat. There were, indeed, many people waiting to see him and it became even clearer that he came to Daura, his roots, to say goodbye and gain momentum and strength he needs to carry out his job.
Throughout the time we spent with him, I never saw even the slightest hint of strain or stress; instead I saw a man happy and relaxed, brimming with enthusiasm and strength. We left Buhari’s Daura home with a picture in our heads, of a man ready to take charge and carry out an important task.