President Muhammadu Buhari has again thanked Nigerians for the honour to serve for two terms (2015-2023) and asked for pardon from those he may have hurt while discharging his duties.
The President made his feelings known on Friday in Abuja at the occasion of this year’s Sallah Homage to mark his final outing as President on a Sallah Day, before handing over on May 29.
Buhari said he accepted all the complaints and criticisms in good stead, knowing it was part of the leadership he prayed and asked for from God.
“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.”
The President, who has less than 37 days left in office, recounted his leadership roles in the country for more than forty years.
Buhari had served variously as a military officer, military governor, minister and Head of State, before returning as a democratically elected President in 2015.
The President told residents of the Federal Capital Territory on Eid al-Fitr Sallah homage led by the Minister, Muhammad Bello, that his journey was not all smooth.
He recalled that 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 the Permanent Voter Card (PVC).
“The fraudulent people became unemployed.”
He said that the flaunting of ethnic and religious cards in elections was “rubbish” as the presiding justices in the Supreme Court that squashed his cases were Muslims from the North; Zaria in Kaduna State, Niger and Jigawa States.
“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 spreads to the FCT and all over the country.
“Those who wanted to make our lives uncomfortable reached the FCT and they have been marginalised.”
The President highlighted the strengths of democracy as a system of government, particularly, in providing an opportunity to participate and foster 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 from Niger Republic.
“When the Minister of Interior wanted to shut down petrol stations 10 kilometres from the border, there was a fuel station close to my house and I pleaded if he could allow it to keep operating.”
The President said he would retire to Daura, which is far away from Abuja, in order to get some respite after years of work.
“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.
“In spite of technology, it will not be easy to get to Daura.”
According to the President, he remains grateful to Nigerians who voted for him, in 2015 and 2019, without any monetary incentive, with some trooping to the campaigns and receptions in States just to catch a glimpse of him.
“I think it is a good coincidence for me to say goodbye to you and thank you for tolerating me for almost eight years,” President Buhari said.
In his remarks, the Minister of FCT thanked the President for hosting residents for the 9th Eid al-Fitr.
Bello also lauded the President for allowing more people into the Villa for the last homage before his handing over ceremony on May 29th.
Bello said the conceptualisation and realisation of the FCT was historic and deserved commendation.
The minister reminded President Buhari of his role as part of the military Recce Team for the capital in the 70s.
The minister, accompanied by Umaru Shagalinku, the man who started one of the oldest restaurants in Abuja, and some contractors, thanked the President for the privilege of serving in the same position for close to eight years.
Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo; Senate President, Ahmad Lawan; SGF, Boss Mustapha; Chief of Staff, Prof. Ibrahim Gambari; Senator Philip Aduda and the CAN Chairman in FCT, Rev. Timothy Amakum were also on the Sallah homage entourage.
