Three Weeks After, Buhari Moves into Villa

President Muhammadu Buhari

More than three weeks after his inauguration, President Muhammadu Buhari on Sunday evening began to move his personal effects into the presidential villa, his official residence.


Before and after the inauguration President Buhari as well the Vice President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo have been living in their private residences, outside the Villa.


The duo have also performed official functions by operating from the Defence House, Abuja, where they have hosted dignitaries including foreign Heads of State including party chieftains and various elder statesmen.


The delay in moving into Aso Villa is said to be because of the renovation works being carried out at the Villa, after the former occupant, Dr Goodluck Jonathan moved out.


Julius Berger, which had held the retainership of the maintenance of the presidential villa for years was said to have repainted the internal and external walls of the president’s residence.


It could not be immediately confirmed if the furniture at the president’s lounges were also changed as part of the renovation.


In an interview earlier, the Senior Special Assistant to the president on Media and Publicity, Mallam Garba Shehu had explained that, “As far as the President is concerned, the place (his official residence) is not ready yet. Workers are cleaning and refurbishing the place. Once the exercise is completed, the President will move in.”


The president's wife, Mrs Aisha Buhari had indeed begun the relocation into the seat of power when she began to move her personal belongings into the official residence of the president since last Thursday.


Buhari, who returned to Abuja from Katsina State on Saturday after a visit to his farm, began the movement of his properties to the seat of power on Sunday evening.


Many believe that the movement into his official residence signals a getting down to brass tacks in governance, as basic appointments like Chief of Staff, Secretary to the Government of the Federation as well as National Security Adviser, etc., are expected to get underway soon.


Aside the naming of his spokesmen, President Buhari has not made any other appointment since he was inaugurated on May 29.


In an interview with Arise News Television, in South Africa last week, President Buhari had said he was not in a hurry to name his ministers as he was yet involved in wide consultations.