Jonathan Schedules Tour Of Aso Rock Villa For President-elect, Buhari

Buhari-GEJThe outgoing Nigerian President, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan has proposed a tour of the Presidential Villa for President-elect, Maj.-Gen. Muhammadu Buhari (retd.).

The two leaders met Friday behind closed-doors in what would be their second meeting since the March 28 presidential elections, won by Mr. Buhari of the All Progressives Congress.

Mr. Jonathan will hand over power to Mr. Buhari on May 29.

Speaking after the meeting, President Jonathan told State House correspondents who sought to know what they discussed that a date would be scheduled to take Mr. Buhari on a familiarisation tour of the Aso Rock presidential villa.

Although Mr. Buhari is a former head of state, he is not familiar with the Aso Rock Villa, which is the official residence of Nigeria’s President. During his first stint as military ruler, the seat of power was at Dodan Barracks in Ikoyi, Lagos State until it was moved to Abuja in 1991 by Gen. Ibrahim Babangida.

“We will take a date when the president will come and I will show him round the state house but today is not for that. Today is to continue with our conversation. We don’t need to worry the President”, he said.

Asked how fruitful their conversion was, Mr. Jonathan responded: “You can see that we are smiling, it was a fruitful one”.

He said the discussions were “in the interest of the country”.

Asked to comment on the meeting, Mr. Buhari said “The president had said it all”.

The meeting is in continuation of ongoing arrangements between the outgoing government and the incoming government for a smooth transition as well as the inauguration.