Tumultuous Crowds Welcome Gov Sule Returning From Foreign Trip
On Saturday August 21, 2021, it was a carnival of sorts as people from all the Local Government Areas that are along Karu – Lafia trooped out in their numbers to welcome the Governor as he returned from a 13-day trip to the US. It was a private visit Eggonnews learnt. The LGAs are: Karu, Keffi, Kokona, Akwanga, Nassarawa Eggon and Lafia.
It was observed in some quarters that since his assumption to office, he has travelled outside the country but never has any of the homecoming been so celebrated.
Local Government Areas that ordinarily were off this route did not want to be left out and therefore found way of stationing themselves to register their welcome to the Governor. They are: Nasarawa, Toto, and Wamba.
The Local Government Areas located after Lafia. namely: Doma, Obi, Awe and Keana also did not want to be left out and so mobilised the people to the Lafi city gate and frontage of the Government House, Shendam Road, Lafia where they welcomed the Governor.
And the people really came out, led by the political leaders of the areas, naely Commissioners, Special Advisers and Senior Special Assistants. It was further observed that the Chairmanship and Councillorship candidates of the APC mobilised their supporters in large numbers to give the Governor a rousing welcome back.
It was also observed that at each of the points the people were gathered, the entire atmosphere was frenzy and fully agog and the Governor, who was driven in a retractable sun-roofed vehicle, would emerge from the top of the vehicle appreciating the ovation by the people.
He would then alight from the vehicle to the warm handshake of some of the key stakeholders from the areas.
At the Lafia City gate, the Deputy Governor of the State, Dr. Emmanuel Akabe, as well as the Speaker, Nasarawa State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Ibrahim Balarabe, alongside other prominent sons and daughters of the State, were on hand to receive the Governor, as people from the entire Nasarawa South Senatorial District, turned up to welcome the governor.
According to a report filed by the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Media, “A tumultuous crowd turned out at various designated spots along the Abuja-Lafia expressway, to give Engineer Sule a rousing welcome, signifying that, they are happy with the development strides of his administration.
The report further went thus:
In Karu, Keffi, Kokona, Akwanga, Nasarawa Eggon and finally Lafia, supporters and admirers of the governor, turned up in a carnival of songs, dances and colours, to welcome Engineer Sule back home.
Addressing a mammoth crowd in Karu, Engineer Sule, expressed appreciation on the massive turnout of the people, stressing that for the people to come out in numbers to welcome him back, signified that the All Progressives Congress (APC), President Muhammadu Buhari and his administration, are on the right track, bringing about much needed development to the people.
According to the governor, with a united APC, the party has no challenger in the 2023 general election, urging both elected and appointed officials, to be fair, just and to carry everyone along.
Indeed, the people of Nasarawa State, surprised the governor, whose intention was to return to the state unnoticed, but was treated to a resounding reception at every point along the route.
This open show of love by the people, may not be unconnected with the sterling leadership qualities of the governor, who has left no stone unturned in his quest for a better Nasarawa State, uniting the people, ensuring lasting peace and repositioning the state to become an emerging leading business hub in not only the North Central geopolitical zone but in the country at large.
For these and many other reasons, the people showed their appreciation by thronging to the road, to accord Engineer Sule a hero’s welcome.
Addressing the tumultuous crowd at the entrance of the Government House, Engineer Sule, thanked the people for the show of love and for turning up in their numbers to welcome him back home.
An obviously elated Governor Sule, said the attitude of the people, is but a demonstration of their trust in the APC and his administration.
The Speaker of the state assembly, Rt. Hon. Ibrahim Balarabe Abdulahi, who was also at the Lafia City gate to receive the Governor alongside prominent sons and daughters of the State, said the show of love and solidarity for the Governor demonstrated by the people of the State has clearly shown that his leadership is fruitful and generally accepted by the entire citizens.
He said: “You will recall that precisely two weeks ago the Governor was out of the country for a private trip abroad. We missed him and he is now back. So, we are here to give him a well-deserved welcome.
“He is the leader of the State, our father, he is the Governor, so we thank Almighty Allah, who protected and saw him safely throughout the trip.
“His return will bring more peace, bring more prosperity and bring more development to our dear State.
“With what you and I and every other person see today, how the Governor, Engr. Abdullahi A Sule was overwhelmingly received, you know that by the Grace of God, he will be a two-term Governor that will get his re-election in 2023 as an easy ride.” the Speaker added.