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Says he’s already homesick
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Urges politicians to have faith in judiciary
By Egena Sunday Ode
President Muhammadu Buhari has pleaded with Nigerians to pardon him if he had offended them in the last seven years and eleven months he had been on the saddle.
This was even as the President said he couldn’t wait to return home after eight years of presiding over the affairs of the country.
Buhari spoke when he hosted the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Bello Mohammed, who led Abuja residents to the 9th and final Sallah homage held Friday at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
He described himself as being lucky, to have led Nigeria in various capacities – governor, minister, head of state, and President.
He thanked the residents of Abuja for tolerating him in the last seven and half years.
“Having been a Governor, Minister, and President twice, I think God has given us an incredible opportunity to serve as your president. And I thank God for that.
“So, please whoever feels I have done wrong too, 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.”
“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,” the president said.
The President took a swipe at 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 from the north and Muslims and yet he lost.
He attributed his eventual victory in the 2015 election, after about three failed attempts to clinch the presidential seat, to technology and the permanent voter card (PVC) introduced by the Prof Attahiru Jega-led Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC.
“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.
Earlier, the Minister of FCT, Muhammad Musa Bello, noted that in a few weeks the President would conclude a very successful tenure, adding that under the Buhari administration, the FCT had witnessed tremendous transformation infrastructure-wise.
He thanked the president for appointing him as a minister, saying it was one position he would cherish forever.
He described Senator Philip Aduda as a bridge builder despite being in the opposition party; and appealed to the senator to join the ruling APC since he was defeated by the Labour Party candidate in the just concluded election.
The highlight of the event was the presentation of the giant Sallah greetings 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.
He prayed that God will continue to strengthen him even after he had officially left office to continue to play the role of an elder statesman.
The cleric also prayed that God would help the incoming administration to continue the great work of the Buhari administration.
He commended the Minister of FCT for the good job he had done and prayed that Christians and Muslims would continue to co-exist peacefully.
In his remarks, the Executive Director, Al-Halbbiya Foundation, Adeyemi Faud, said that Christians and Muslims had lived peacefully in the FCT and commended the existing cordial relationship between the different religious groups and residents of the FCT.
He also commended the state of security in the city. Sen. Aduda on his part congratulated Buhari for a successful tenure and thanked God for granting him wisdom to lead the nation.
The senator commended Buhari for tolerating everyone including the opposition, praying for good health, wisdom, and long life for the President so that he will always be available to provide wise counsel.
Some notable personalities present at the homage visit were Vice President, Yemi Osinbajo, President of the Senate, Ahmed Lawan, Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha, Chief of Staff, Professor Ibrahim Gambari, service chiefs, cabinet members, presidential aides, traditional rulers, business communities among others.
