Workers at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, reported for duties
early on Monday in readiness to formally receive President
Muhammadu Buhari and Vice President Yemi Osinbajo.
Having been inaugurated on Friday, the duo are expected to
be in their offices for the first time on Monday (today).
There were fears that with his disciplined posture, Buhari
might want to take workers unawares by reporting to work
early.
Workers of Presidential Villa, Abuja, removing photographs of
former President Goodluck Jonathan from the notice boards…
on Monday. Photo: Olalekan Adetayo.
But at the time of filing this report, at 11am, Buhari and
Osinbajo have yet to arrive the Presidential Villa.
Both of them have yet to relocate to their official residence in
the villa.
In the meantime, THERE was palpable anxiety and disappointment at the Presidential Villa, the seat of power in Abuja, as President Muhammadu Buhari stayed away from the place, and instead operated from the Defence House, where he has been using since he was President-elect.
Workers at the Villa who were on their duty posts as early as 8.am yesterday to cast a glimpse of Buhari assuming duty, the first time since he was inaugurated on Friday last week, were disappointed as the President was said to be working from the Defence House.
Workers at the Villa were seen in groups discussing in hushed tone about the shape the Buhari- led administration would take. But one of his spokesmen, Malam Garba Shehu confirmed that the Presidential Villa was not yet ready for Buhari’s occupation.
However, Julius Berger, Nigeria Ltd workers were seen removing the relics of former President Goodluck Jonathan’s administration including his portraits and other photographs hanging on the walls. Besides, the forecourt of the President’s office was empty as there was no trace of visitors, coming to see him.
Not even the security operatives manning the gate leading into the Council Chambers were seen as their cubicle was locked.
Some of the operatives who served the former President were seen discussing their fate.
Some of them, who craved anonymity, however told State House correspondents that they were awaiting their deployments as soon as the aides to the new President arrived their duty posts.
As one of them said, they would be leaving in batches up to at least in the next six weeks when their new counterparts would have been properly schooled on the rudiments of the job, before they finally disengage.
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