Akure – Scores of Akure residents were agog on Saturday to receive President Muhammadu Buhari, at the mega rally of the All Progressives Congress (APC), preparatory for the Nov. 26 governorship election in the state.

The people were eager to see Buhari, in company with other leaders of the party, including the Senate President, Bukola Saraki at the rally.

President Muhammadu Buhari (4l) flanked by the the APC National Chairman, Chief John Oyegun (5r) and the APC Candidate at the Ondo State Election, Barr. Rotimi Akeredolu while the Senate President, Bukola Saraki (4r) and other leaders in a group photograph with all the APC Aspirants during the meeting between President Buhari and all the Onto State Gubernatorial Aspirants of the APC as part of the events markIng the grand finale of the APC Governorship Campaign at The Dome, Akure. Photo by Abayomi ADESHIDA

The popular Oba Adesida road was deserted of its usual human and vehicular congestion to give way for the presidential convoy.

The residents, however, were going about their normal activities without any threat to peace and order.

Speaking Mrs Esther Omodara, a retiree from the state civil service, said that the city was standing still for the president “because he is a man of the people”.

Omodara said that Buhari had deep passion for the entire people, adding that his visit would prove the public support for the APC candidate, Rotimi Akeredolu.

Also speaking, Mr Femi Okunjemiruwa, a chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the state, said that Buhari’s visit was a sign of positive and good things for the APC governorship candidate and the state at large.

Okunjemiruwa, said he would be decamping from the PDP to the APC, said that all hands must be on deck to support the president to rescue Nigeria from decadence.

The Democracy Park, venue of the campaign rally, was lively with music rending the air from the ace Fuji musician, Abass Obesere.

However, there was a heavy presence of men of the Nigeria Police Force, Nigerian Army, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) and the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC).