Former President Muhammadu Buhari and former Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo yesterday returned to their respective states after handing over the rein of power to President Bola Tinubu and Vice President, Kashim Shettima.

The two statesmen arrived at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja(NNIA) almost at the same time in the company with their wives.

Osinbajo and his wife, Dolapo, arrived first at 11.25 am while Buhari arrived at about 11.30 am with his wife, Aisha.

The former vice-president, clad in white flowing gown and his trademark black cap went to join Buhari in the Presidential lounge for about two minutes.

Shortly after, Buhari stepped out of the lounge alongside Aisha and moved to the tarmac for the final departure ceremony that peaked with a military parade.

The former President shook hands with members of the Presidential Air fleet before he was thereafter accompanied to the foot of a waiting Nigeria Airforce aircraft by Osinbajo; his former Chief of Staff, Prof. Ibrahim Gambari, former Federal Capital Territory Minister (FCT) Minister Muhammad Bello; former Labour and Employment Minister Chris Ngige; former Humanitarian Minister Sadiya Farouq, Comptroller-General of Nigeria Customs Service, Hammed Ali, amongst others.

Buhari boarded the aircraft marked 5N-FGW with Aisha, former ministers Hadi Sirika (Aviation), Isa Pantami (Telecommunications and Digital Economy) and former Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu.

The plane took off at 12:01pm and landed at the Umaru Musa Yar’Adua Airport where the President was received by the newly inaugurated Governor of Katsina State, Malam Dikko Umar-Radda, and his deputy, Alhaji Faruk Lawal.

Read Also: Buhari’s honouring of Tiv Leader Msuaan excites youths

His family members were airlifted also to the Umaru Musa Yar’Adua Airport in another NAF aircraft.

Buhari was later conveyed to Daura in a helicopter at about 2.20 pm and was received by a jubilant crowd led by the Emir of Daura, Alhaji Umar Faruk-Umar.

The Daura Emirate Council will today hold a grand durbar to formally welcome him back home.

The formality for the departure of Osinbajo commenced at about 12.17pm with friends, close relatives and aides singing praises to God on his behalf.

Osinbajo and Dolapo also boarded another NAF aircraft with registration number 5N-FGS around 12:31pm. The aircraft took off around 12.45pm for Lagos from where they headed to their Ikenne, Ogun State country home.

Before boarding the plane, Osinbajo expressed joy for the successful transition. He also expressed optimism that democracy would continue to thrive in the country.

He, however, urged Nigerians to be vigilant while speaking with reporters.

The former Vice President said, “We congratulate ourselves and we thank God that we are in the 7th democratic transition. I am thankful to God for the opportunity and for the fact that I was able to go through this period and we are leaving hale and hearty and all is well.”