President Muhammadu Buhari Finally Moves Into Aso Rock

President Muhammadu Buhari yesterday moved into his official residence in Aso Rock, Abuja. His wife, Mrs. Aisha Buhari had, on Thursday night, moved the first family to the Presidential Villa after having been convinced that construction giant, Julius Berger, had completed renovation on both the residence and the office.


Buhari and Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo, have been living and working outside the seat of power since their inauguration on May 29 in order to allow renovation to be carried out on their official quarters and offices. Sources confirmed to New Telegraph that Buhari came into the Villa briefly on a private visit yesterday afternoon in company of a few aides. He later returned in the evening to settle down at the residence.

Buhari, who returned to Abuja from Katsina State on Saturday, began the movement of his property to the seat of power yesterday evening. Heavy trucks on Thursday night were sighted moving luggage into the president’s residence. While Julius Berger handled the renovation of the physical structure, including changing of tiles, broken glasses, toilets and other house fittings, another private company whose name could not be ascertained at the time of going to press, handled the replacement of furniture and other necessary appliances. Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity to the President, Mallam Garba Shehu, had confirmed to our correspondent in a telephone interview earlier that the president would have no choice but to move into the apartment and office when the renovation has been completed.

The two leaders have been moving in and out of the presidential villa since their inauguration on May 29. While the president operated from the Defence House in Maitama District, Osinbajo lived in a private apartment in Abuja city. Both former President Goodluck Jonathan and former Vice-President Namadi Sambo, did not fully pack out of their official residences to allow Julius Berger commence renovation on time. Osinbajo is yet to pack with his family members into the seat of power. With the movement, Buhari will today begin holding of official functions inside the Presidential Villa. The president is expected to host governors of the 36 states of the federation tomorrow where the leaders will discuss the crisis of non-payment of salaries by some states and the need for bailout.