President Bola Tinubu on Monday exchanged warm greetings and shared a hug with former President Olusegun Obasanjo in Owerri, Imo State. The duo met during the swearing-in of Hope Uzodimma as Governor for a second term
This was the first time Tinubu and Obasanjo would meet after the heated arguments preceding the 2023 presidential election. Their divergent opinions and interests had generated a strained relationship between them. But they appeared to have reconciled shortly before the 2023 presidential election when Tinubu visited the former president in Ota, Ogun State.
However, despite Tinubu’s visit, Obasanjo supported Peter Obi, the presidential candidate of the Labour Party, during the last election.
Concerning Uzodinma’s event, Tinubu, who was earlier at an event in Abuja for the 2024 Armed Forces Remembrance Day, landed at the Sam Mbakwe Airport in Owerri around 1 pm. He was accompanied by some government officials and was welcomed by Uzodimma and other Imo leaders.
The Senate President, Godswill Akpabio and the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas also attended the event. The Anambra governor Charles Soludo was represented by his deputy, Onyekachi Ibezim.
Residents of Imo State disregarded the sit-at-home movement in the Southeast and turned out in large numbers for the swearing-in ceremony. They marched into Dan Anyiam Stadium through the streets while donning vibrant clothing.
Monday’s inauguration came about two months after Uzodimma of the All Progressives Congress (APC) won a second term in office, defeating his closest rivals Samuel Anyanwu of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and Labour Party (LP)’s Athan Achonu.