President Muhammadu Buhari and his Deputy, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo on Monday bidded farewell to the seat of power.
Their tenure came to an on Monday with the inauguration of the new administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and his vice, Kashim Shettima.
The former President and his wife Aisha Buhari departed Abuja for Katsina State while Osinbajo and his wife, Dolapo Osinbajo departed to Ikenne enroute Lagos.
They both arrived at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport almost at the same time, with the Osinbajo arriving first at about 11.25am while the Buhari arrived at about 11.35am.
Buhari was ushered into one of the Presidential lounges while Osinbajo was also ushered into the other lounge.
Osinbajo who was claded in white three piece babariga and his trademark (black) cap went to join Buhari in his lounge for about two minutes before returning to his lounge alongside his wife.
Shortly after his meeting with Osinbajo, the former president stepped out of his lounge alongside his wife and moved to the tarmac for the final departure ceremony which saw a military parade.
He also had a hand shake with members of the Presidential Air fleet.
Buhari could be heard saying thank you to each of of them as he had a last minute handshake with them.
He was accompanied to the foot of the aircraft for the final departure ceremony by the former Vice President and his wife, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, his Chief of Staff, Prof. Ibrahim Gambari, former FCT Minister, Muhammad Bello,
Former Labour and Employment Minister, Chris Ngige, former Humanitarian Minster, Sadiya Farouq, Comptroller General of Nigeria Customs Service, Hammed Ali, amongst others.
Buhari who was claded in white three piece babariga and a cap to match boarded the Nigerian Air Force aircraft with registration number 5N-FGW in company of his wife, son and few aides around 11:57 and the aircraft took off around 12:01.
Another NAF aircraft with registration number 5N-FGZ carrying his other family members and other aides also took off immediately after the first one.
The formality for the departure of Former Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo commenced at about 12.17 with friends, close relatives and aides singing songs of praises to God on his behalf.
He boarded the Nigerian Air Force aircraft with registration number 5N-FGS in company of his wife and a few aides around 12:31 and the aircraft took off around 12:45.
He was accompanied to the foot of the aircraft by the former FCT Minister, Muhammad Bello, Former Labour and Employment Minister, Chris Ngige, former Humanitarian Affairs Minister, Sadiya Farouq, Comptroller General of Nigeria Customs Service, Hammed Ali.
Other people who were on the ground to bid him farewell had placards with different inscriptions like; My man PYO, You lead, we follow, best boss ever, We will miss you, amongst others.
Osinbajo who spoke to newsmen shortly before boarding expressed joy for the successful transition.
He also expressed optimism that democracy will continue to thrive in the country.
He however urged Nigerians to be vigilant.
The former Vice President said, “We congratulate ourselves and we thank God that we are in the 7th democratic transition. I am thankful to God for the opportunity and for the fact that one was able to go through this period and we are leaving hale and hearty and all is well.
“I want to thank God for that. I also want to say it is a great thing indeed that we have the 7th democratic transition and to say we must be vigilant.
“I am happy and I pray that in the coming years, we will observe the rule of law. “Democracy cannot be taken for granted, we have to be vigilant and we have to keep working at it, you cannot assume that because it has worked, it would continue to work.
” So, my advice is for us to keep our eyes open and be vigilant and God helping us, we will have several more transitions.
“The mere fact that we have had seven does not mean there are no possibilities that anything can happen. “So, it is important that we keep our eyes open. Vigilance is the watchword with respect to democracy but I am confident that our democracy will thrive and the rule of law will be sustained in this country.”