President-Elect, Maj. Gen. Muhammadu Buhari (retd.), on Friday received Suleiman Hashimu, the man who is reported to have walked from Lagos to Abuja to celebrate the All Progressives Congress presidential candidate’s victory in the March 28 election.
Buhari, who expressed delight about the man’s feat, said he, like most Nigerians, heard about the trekker’s journey and the goodwill he enjoyed along the way.
The President-Elect said, “I heard so many stories that you wore out about half a dozen pair of shoes. But I also understand that there were people who were quite generous to help you to pay for more pairs of shoes. Thank you very much indeed.
Hashimu, who says he is from Buhari’s native Katsina State, said he embarked on the journey to fulfill a vow he made to God two years ago that if Buhari won the 2015 Presidential elections, he was going to make the journey by foot.
He also presented a gift to Buhari and took a series of photographs to celebrate the occasion.
While responding to questions from reporters shortly afterwards, Hashimu explained that from Lagos, he passed through Kwara and Niger States before arriving Abuja after 18 days.
He said, “I passed through Kwara State, Niger State to Abuja. I trek from 6am to 6pm. I start by six anywhere I find myself by 6pm, I pass the night there. I spent 18 days.
“I found myself in the bush once and had to trek till 9pm to a nearby village. I am based in Ibadan. I started my journey from Berger in Lagos.”
In response to critics, who doubt his claims, he said, “I made this promise between God and myself. I don’t want people to believe me. Believe me or not, that is why I did not leave any evidence on the ground.
“I made a promise between me and my God and I think right from Ilorin in Kwara State, I did not walk five kilometers alone; I always trek with people.”
Meanwhile, Buhari also received in audience non-returning members of the House of Representatives, who went to remind him of a promise he made before the elections that he would not abandon them.
Spokesman for the group, Mr. Afam Ifeanyi, said they came to congratulate the President-Elect on his electoral victory and remind him about his promise not to abandon them.
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