The many sides of ”aborted” Lagos presidential visit

For many residents and business operators within Mushin, Eko Idumota,Marina and other areas of Lagos Island, who had to shut their shops and stalls on Monday in honour of President Muhammadu Buhari who was billed to kick-start a two-day working visit to the state, there could not have been a bigger disappointment than the one […]

For many residents and business operators within Mushin, Eko Idumota,Marina and other areas of Lagos Island, who had to shut their shops and stalls on Monday in honour of President Muhammadu Buhari who was billed to kick-start a two-day working visit to the state, there could not have been a bigger disappointment than the one they witnessed on the fateful day
Though, the president’s inability to come in person had been well-laid out by his media handlers, residents and business operators in the affected areas  of the state expressed regret that the joy of seeing the president, months after his campaign stops in Lagos have taken the shine off the  grand arrangement put in place by the Lagos State government.
Parts of the  arrangement of the Lagos State  was the  beautification  of strategic areas in the state,including Alausa where the president would tour as well as  road diversion in order to aid traffic movement during the president’s visit.
Besides, a  combined team of police, army, navy and the Airforce have been drafted to provide adequate security ahead of President Muhammadu Buhari’s two-day visit to Lagos starting from Monday.
Operatives of the joint security task force, Ops Messa, were also  detailed to comb all vulnerable spots in search for any miscreants, just as  all police  area commanders and their respective divisional Police Officer (DPO) were also ordered to remain at their duty post throughout the visit.
“I was expecting to see his face again. Some people had even rumoured to us that he was most likely going to drive in an open-roof vehicle to greet and acknowledge cheers from residents,” Bimbo Abass, a soft drink trader at Idumota said. “But I was surprised when I heard this morning that he wouldn’t be coming any longer and that his vice will be the one to represent him.”
A school teacher in Lagos Island, Dele Ajani said his school authority had already prepared the minds of the students ahead  on the need to feel the presence of President Muhammadu Buhari during his visit.
‘’Our preparation was later shattered when we learnt that the president has postponed his visit, but we are hopeful to  feel his presence in Lagos whenever he is set to reschedule his visit to Lagos.The president must come around and feel the impact of the change mantra he is promoting in the country,” he  said.
To 40-year -old industrial printing operator, Anani Christopher Anani, the failed visit of the president shattered the hope of setting his eyes once again on President Muhammadu Buhari.
‘’The first time I saw him I was in primary school then.I     hoped that his visit to Lagos would enable me see Mr.President again, but that was not to be. I am still optimistic that I will set my eyes on him whenever he reschedules his visit to Lagos,’’ he said.
Daily Trust correspondent observed that shops, stalls, warehouses and other business outlets in Idi Oro, Olorunsogo, Oloosa and Ojuwoye on Agege Motor Road of Mushin area and Eko Idumota and CMS market axis, were kept under lock and key.
“The Executive Secretary of Mushin Local Government was the one who asked us to close shops and outlets to honour the arrival of Mr President for a two-day working visit to the state. Although, I must confess that some of us who have looked forward to see the president were disappointed that he couldn’t make it here," Jide Kolawole, a vulcaniser at Ojuwoye market also said.
Our  correspondent gathered that markets in Mushin and Lagos Island were specifically closed to ease traffic in the affected areas as major projects to be commissioned such as the new Lagos State
Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA) Rescue Unit in Cappa area of Oshodi and the donation of pick-up vans as well as power bikes to security operatives at Tafawa Balewa Square (TBS), Lagos are situated in the  areas.
But for many of the street urchins, party supporters and touts who were able to find their way to the commissioning venues at Cappa-Oshodi, Ago Palace Way Okota and TBS, Lagos Island, there could not have been better gathering to receive tokens from politicians.
“You could see how they almost pushed me to the gutter when they were running after the convoy of the Vice President Osinbajo who was making his way out of the commissioning venues. Events like this are what they pray for. This is where they earn their living, we really can’t blame them,” Taoheed Fagbemi, a journalist with the Governor’s Press crew said.
Notwithstanding the  heavy downpour that took significant part of the day, Vice President Yemi Osinbajo who had to step in for President Buhari proved himself to be a true “son of the soil” with the kind of warm reception he got from crowd of supporters and enthusiasts who besieged venues of the  projects commissioning.
A former Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice in the State,Osinbajo received a rousing welcome at Cappa-Oshodi when his convoy and that of Governor Akinwunmi Ambode drove into the arena.
Also on  the entourage are the Governor of Kebbi State, Atiku Bagudu, Minister of Works, Power and Housing and former governor of Lagos State, Mr Babatunde Raji Fashola, Minister of Finance, Kemi Adeosun, the Oba of Lagos, Rilwanu Akiolu, among others.
Party faithful and residents who were delighted to see the Vice President sang tirelessly, local folks songs to the delight of many admirers.
The atmosphere was even more electrifying where Osinbajo had to defy heavy downpour to take a tour of the expansive arena so as to be able to pay homage to thousands of supporters seated at pavilions.
The Vice President, who arrived at the arena in the company of Governor Ambode, refused to mount the podium designed for him and the governor but went directly to wave at supporters. The crowd at different sections also responded with wild jubilation and standing ovation for him.