The out-going Nigeria’s President Muhammadu Buhari has begged Nigerians to forgive him for whatever errors he might have made during his eight year rule, disclosing that he has decided to retire to Daura, his hometown which was far away from Abuja in order to get some respite, after years of work.
Penpushing reports that Buhari who has less than 37 days left in office pleaded at an occasion to mark his final outing as President on a Sallah Day, before handing over to his successor, Bola Tinubu who is the President-elect.
“I can’t wait to go home to Daura. If they make any noise to disturb me in Daura, I will leave for the Niger Republic. I deliberately arranged to be as far away as possible. I got what I wanted and will quietly retire to my home town’, he said
The President on Friday thanked Nigerians for the honour to serve for two terms, 2015-2023, just as he recounted his leadership roles in the country for more than forty years, serving variously as a military officer, military governor, minister, and Head of State, and returning as a democratically elected President in 2015.
Penpushing further reports that Buhari recalled that his journey was not all smooth as he was incarcerated for three years, after the coup that ousted him from power in August, 1984, and contested elections three times, 2003, 2007 and 2011, without success.
“I dared the politicians and ended up at the Supreme Court three times. They laughed at me, and I responded, ‘God dey’. God sent technology to my rescue, with Permanent Voters’ Card (PVC). The fraudulent people became unemployed’, he stated
Penpushing also reports that Buhari noted that the flaunting of ethnic and religious cards in elections was rubbish as the presiding justices at the Supreme Court that squashed his cases were Muslims, from the North, Zaria in Kaduna State, Niger and Jigawa
“It is good to reflect on what used to happen here, in FCT, especially on security. Security is not only about the North East, it also spread to the FCT and all over the country. Those who wanted to make our lives uncomfortable reached the FCT, and they have been marginalized,’’ he added.
Penpushing reports that he equally highlighted the strengths of democracy as a system of government, particularly in providing opportunity to participate, and fostering a sense of belonging among citizens.
“I have been counting the years. Democracy is good, otherwise how can someone come from one end of the country to rule for eight years. My home town, Daura, is about eight kilometres to Niger Republic’, Buhari stated.
‘When the Minister of Interior wanted to shut down petrol stations ten kilometres from the border, there was a fuel station close to my house, and I pleaded if he could allow it to keep operating,” he added.
Penpushing further reports that the President said he accepted all the complaints and criticisms in good stead, knowing it was part of the leadership he prayed and asked from God, stressing that those he might have hurt should pardon him.
‘God gave me an incredible opportunity to serve the country. We are all humans, if I have hurt some people along the line of my service to the country, I ask that they pardon me. All those that I have hurt, I ask that they pardon me”, he emphasised
The President said he remains grateful to Nigerians, who voted him in 2015 and 2019, without any monetary incentive, with some trooping to the campaigns, and receptions in states just to catch a glimpse.
Penpushing also reports that Buhari stated that it was a good conscience for him to say goodbye to Nigerians, and equally thanked them for tolerating him for period of his service as the country’s President
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