Borno State governor declares today a public holiday as Buhari lands in Maiduguri on campaign tour

BORNO State's Governor Kashim Shettima has declared today a public holiday so the people of the state can welcome President Muhammadu Buhari as he arrives in Maiduguri as part of his presidential election campaign tour.

Next month, Nigeria goes to the polls with President Buhari seeking a second term as the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate. With less than a month to go, President Buhari has embarked on a nationwide tour and today will arrive on Borno State, from where he is expected to travel on to neighbouring Yobe State.

Last night, Dr Mohammed Bulama, the Borno State information commissioner, announced that today will be work-free so the people of the state can welcome President Buhari. At about 10.30am this morning, President Buhari landed at the Nigerian Air Force wing of the Maiduguri International Airport.

Dr Bulama said:  “This is to notify the general public that due to the one day visit of His Excellency Muhammadu Buhari, president and commander-in-chief of the armed forces to Maiduguri, the state capital, Monday, 21st January 2019, is hereby declared a public holiday in the entire state. This is to enable all the good people of Borno State, including workers in both the public and private sectors, as well as students to, as usual, troop out in large numbers to welcome Mr President to the state.”

Upon arriving, President Buhari was received by Adams Oshiomhole, the APC chairman,  national security adviser, Major General Babagana Monguno and the minister of state for works Alhaji Baba Shehuri. Other dignitaries that received the president include Governor Shettima himself, members of the national and Borno State House of Assembly and other party leaders.

President Buhari is expected to address a gathering of party supporters at the Ramat Square in Maiduguri. As from early this morning, hundreds of party supporters displaying posters and singing solidarity songs thronged the streets of the metropolis to welcome the president.