Tight security and traffic jams marked President Goodluck Jonathan’s arrived in Lagos for a two-day visit on Thursday.



Before the President arrived at the Murtala Muhammed Airport, Ikeja, the Lagos airspace was shut for a considerable period of time until a Nigerian Air Force aircraft in which Jonathan flew from Abuja landed at about 10.20a.m.



Many travellers were stranded for several hours at the airport while some planes that were Lagos-bound had to hover in the airspace for several minutes until it was reopened.



Motorists and commuters were also not spared as a portion of the Airport Road close to the Presidential Wing was blocked by security operatives.



As early as 6am security operatives had taken over the presidential lounge, frisking everybody in the area.



By 7.45am, many members of the Peoples Democratic Party in the state, youths and market women had thronged the presidential wing, where a combined team of regular and riot policemen had a hectic time controlling them.



The President arrived in the NAF aircraft marked 5N-FGT 001 accompanied by some aides.



Although Jonathan is yet to unveil his presidential ambition for the 2011 elections, the scene at the airport could be mistaken for a political rally.



The President, who wore a dark brown caftan and a bowler hat, responded to the crowd with a victory sign as he stepped down the gangway.



After alighting from the aircraft, he walked briskly on a red carpet, acknowledging cheers from the crowd and a praise song rendered by Weird MC.



He was received by Lagos State Governor, Babatunde Fashola; his Ogun State counterpart, Otunba Gbenga Daniel; Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Alhaji Yayale Ahmed; the Chairman of Lagos State PDP, Mr. Setonji Koshoedo; the Publicity Secretary, Dr. Wale Ahmed; and other party members.



Also at the lounge were the Minister of Finance, Mr. Olusegun Aganga; Nigerian High Commissioner to Ghana, Ambassador Musiliu Obanikoro; and a former minister of aviation, Mr. Babatunde Omotoba.



The airport ceremony lasted for about 10 minutes. Around 10.30am, he was driven away in a long convoy.



However, the reception was almost disrupted when PDP members engaged in a free-for-all over the distribution of branded umbrellas and T-Shirts.



Trouble started when bundles of umbrellas branded with the PDP’s logo were given out to certain persons for distribution. Before they could do so, the crowd snatched the umbrellas from them.


http://www.punchng.com/Articl.aspx?theartic=Art201008275465414

Lets continue to look ahead of 2015. The mass reception accorded the president in Lagos is a response to his numerous achievements mostly in areas like steady fuel supply, improvement in power supply, reforms in road construction. And the mammoth crowd in an AC controlled state, President Jonathan is left with no option than to consolidate. The president and his handlers must be reminded of the role the state is playing to enthrone the implementation of true fiscal federalism.

However, the reception was almost disrupted when PDP members engaged in a free-for-all over the distribution of branded umbrellas and T-Shirts.

Thats what they do best. . .
@op
Even if Jonathan wants 2 contest,he'll do so under d PDP umbrella and I can't remember PDP doing anything in this country since inception.Many people r just carried away by emotions.Even now,I still can't c and say what d Jonathan has achieved,if not billions being spent on independence and billions "wasted". . .my own 2cents