Barau stated that he was excited to see the former Lagos State governor back in the country.
Tinubu was received by a mammoth crowd of enthusiastic associates and supporters who thronged the Presidential Wing of the Nnamdi Azikwe International Airport, Abuja where his private jet touched down.
Dressed in a flowing blue agbada, he was accompanied by his wife, Senator Oluremi Tinubu and son, Seyi.
Among those waiting to receive him at the airport were Vice President-elect, Kashim Shettima; House of Representatives Speaker, Femi Gbajabiamila; Governors Simon Lalong (Plateau); Abubakar Sani-Bello (Niger) and former Borno State Governor, Ali Modu Sheriff.
Others were former Governor of Edo State, Adams Oshiomhole; ex-Chairman of Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu; APC Deputy National Chairman for North, Senator Abubakar Kyari; Deputy National Chairman for South, Emma Enekwu, and National Woman Leader, Dr. Betta Edu.
Addressing the tumultuous crowd who followed him home, an excited Tinubu urged them to ignore some of the speculations making the round in the last month that he was rushed abroad over his alleged ill health.
According to him, he actually left the country on March 21 for a vacation after a hectic campaign and election season.
He said, “I am happy to be back. I have rested, I’m refreshed and I’m ready for the task ahead.
“Forget about what the rumour mill may have told you. I’m strong, very strong.”
He also reassured that while in Paris, he never stopped working as he kept ‘consulting and planning’ with a view to putting together a strong team so he could hit the ground running once he assumes office on May 29.
Addressing journalists at the Presidential wing of Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja on Monday evening, Barau disclosed that he trusted the president-elect enough to know he is fit for the task ahead.
According to him, Tinubu looked fresh enough to hit the ground running after his well-deserved rest in France.
“We are all happy to see our leader, our President-elect back with his amiable wife, looking so fresh and fit and ready to hit the ground running.
“Nigerians are here in their thousands and you can see how happy they are right now. Everyone is excited to have him back. My campaign organisation and I are very glad to have him back. He has said he is back, fit, and ready for the task ahead. We know and trust him to be a man of his word. We cannot expect less,” he stated.
