I’m lucky to have led you, thanks for tolerating me, Buhari tell Nigerians

President Muhammadu Buhari has said that he can’t wait to go home after eight years of being at the helm of affairs in the country, serving the people.

“I think this is a very good coincidence for me to say goodbye to you and to thank you for tolerating me for more than seven and half years now.

“I assure you, I have deliberately arranged to be as far away from you as possible not because I don’t appreciate the love you’ve shown to me, but because I think I’ve gotten what I have asked and I would rather quietly retire to my hometown.”

Continuing, he said “I can’t wait to go home…I deliberately arranged to be as far away as possible from you people.”

Buhari spoke at the 9th and final Sallah homage which took place, Friday, at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

The outgoing President described himself as a lucky man, to have led Nigeria in various capacity – governor, minister, head of state and crowning it as President.

He also thanked the residents of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja for indulging and tolerating him in the last seven and half years.

He said the Sallah occasion has afforded him a good coincidence to say “goodbye and to thank you for tolerating me for eight years.”

“I am counting the days. Democracy is a good thing otherwise how can somebody from the other side be a president for two terms? My home town to Niger Republic is 8 kilometers.

“I honestly consider myself very lucky, I was made a governor, minister of petroleum, head of state in uniform, then after three attempts, God through technology and PVC, I became president. I tried 2007, 2011 and 2015 and ended up at Supreme Court three times.”

The President chided those who said they cannot get justice at the court, recalling that all Supreme Court justices in all the election cases he took to court were all from the north and Muslims and yet he lost, saying “Thanks to technology and the permanent voters card (PVC)”, which made it possible for him to be President in 2015.

“Having been a Governor, Minister and the President twice, I think God has given me an incredible opportunity to serve as your president. And I thank God for that. So, please whoever feels I have done wrong to, we are all humans.

“There is no doubt I hurt some people and I wish you will pardon me. And those that think that I have hurt them so much, please pardon me.”

Minister of Federal Capital Territory, Mohammed Bello, noted that in a few weeks Buhari will conclude a very successful tenure with tremendous infrastructure transformation in the FCT.

He described Senator Philip Aduda as a bridge builder despite being in the opposition party.
The highlight of the celebration was the presentation of the giant Sallah greeting card to the president.

Chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria (FCT) chapter, Rev. Timothy Amakon, thanked God for using Buhari to transform the nation as well as to maintain peace and development of the country.

While praying to God to continue to strengthen him even after he leaves office to continue to play the role of an elder statesman, the cleric also prayed that God will help the incoming administration to continue the works President Buhari administration began.

Executive Director Al-Halbbiya Foundation Adeyemi Faud said that Christians and Muslims live peacefully in the FCT and commended the cordial relationship between residents of the federal capital of different religions.

Senator Aduda on his part congratulated President Buhari for a successful tenure and thanked God for granting him wisdom to lead the nation.

He commended Buhari for tolerating the opposition and prayed for good health for President Buhari so that he will always be available to provide wise counsel.

Notable personalities present during the occasion were Vice President, Yemi Osinbajo, President of the Senate, Ahmed Lawan, Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha, Chief of Staff, Prof Ibrahim Gambari, Service Chiefs, Cabinet members, presidential aides, traditional rulers, and the business community among others.