… Siren, huge crowd welcome Hasheem to Abuja from Lagos
… Mixed reactions trail feat
By EVANGELINE ANUMBA
There was wild celebration yesterday by some residents of Abuja following the arrival of Mallam Suleman Hasheem, the man who trekked from Lagos to the Federal Capital Territoey (FCT) in celebration of General Muhammadu Buhari’s victory in the March 28 presidential poll.
Hundreds of the residents, chorusing, ‘sai Baba, sai Baba” lined the streets of Abuja to welcome Hasheem.
The man, escorted by the police, arrived in Abuja at about 5.p.m. from Suleja. At Mabushi bridge, scores of people queued for several hours to catch a glimpse of Buhari’s admirer even before his arrival.
Clad in a red jersey, black tracker and snickers, Hasheem beamed with smiles as he trekked the streets of Abuja. Apart from the shout of sai Baba that rented the air, a police van trailing him, blared siren.
He waved at the crowd, but refused to address the fans. He arrived in Minna, Niger State last week.
Hasheem left Lagos on March 30 after Buhari, the presidential candidate of All Progressives Congress (APC) was declared winner by the Chairman of Independent National Electoral Commission, (INEC), Prof. Attahiru Jega.
Meanwhile, prominent Nigerians reacted to Hasheem’s feat, describing it as worthy of commendation and emulation.
Fred Agbaje, lawyer.
I am not aware of the development, but if it is true, it means that such a person must have been thoroughly disappointed with the outgoing regime and with the incoming government, he can now heave a sigh of relief.
And with the relief, he tends to do the unthinkable. What people think was unthinkable, he did it at the expense of his own life.
You know the man’s action can be likened to when people celebrate a goal in a football match, when they can go bizzarre in celebration. That is the man’s own goal. People should not think such a person is insane. He should not be treated as a outlaw or somebody that had a mental problem. He is excited.
Ade Adetimehin, APC chieftain
Hasheem’action is a good development, the action is unique in Nigeria because it is first of its kind when someone, a young guy for that matter will trek for sutainability of democracy in this country, alhough his action is not new in advanced countries.
The young man’s action is adding more value to the nation’s democracy and it is a good signal to the Western world that democracy has come to stay in Nigeria.
People should emulate his good democratic gesture by fashioning out various ways to promote and sustain our hard nurtured democracy.
Alhaji Shetima Yerima
National President, Arewa Youths Consultatives Forum
I must commend the dexterity of Hasheem for blazing the trail in the history of this country. It portends the consciousness of Nigerians towards democracy.
It is a way of expressing excitement about the choice and victory of Buhari though, but it also clearly shows that Nigeria has come of age democratically.
Yinka Odumakin
National Publicity Secretary, Afenifere
He has done something heroic that needs to be commended and emulated. He has entered the history of Nigeria as a Nigerian that has trekked from Lagos to Abuja not because he did not have money, but because of what he believed in. He is a man of history.
Abike Dabiri-Erewa
Chairman, House Committee on Diaspora
For this gentleman to have done what he has done, it is has shown that our democracy has come of age and Hasheem deserves national recognition. He is a trail blazer for what he has done. It shows that Nigeria has not made wrong choice in the emergence of Buhari as the new president.
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