Buhari to critics: Our records are inviolable

By Egena Sunday Ode

Former President Muhammadu Buhari has cautioned those he alleged are want to distort the records of his administration saying that facts would always prove them wrong
Buhari spoke Tuesday in Abuja at the launch of two books on his eight-year administration of the country as president.
The event chaired by former Head of State, General Yakubu Gowon and co-chaired by General IBM Haruna was a roll call of who is who in the past and present All Progressives Congress-led political leadership in the country.
“Let revisionists not rejoice that they have the ultimate say in the bid
to distort history. Facts and records will ultimately prove them wrong.
When some people engage in deliberate falsehood and distortion of facts
that pertain to our tenure in office, I take solace in the fact that records are
there, and will remain inviolable,” he said.
The two publications; Working with Buhari:
Reflections of a Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, 2015 – 2023,
written by Femi Adesina, Buhari’s media adviser for eight years,
and a volume of five books, Muhammadu Buhari: The Nigerian Legacy
(2015 – 2023), edited by Dr. Udu Yakubu were launched in the Cingress Hall of Transcorp Hilton, Abuja.
Buhari who has been out of circulation since he handed over power in May, 2023 said the books “are worthy to temporarily bring
me out of resting in my native Daura, back to the city.”
Harping on the need for records and facts to correct wrong versions of his stewardship, the former president said the authors of the books had done the nation a favour by putting the records out there for them to judge.
“These books presented today once again exemplify the sanctity of records, and the role they play in documenting facts and figures, achievements and milestones, either in our personal lives, or in the life of a nation.
“I told Adesina when he visited me in Daura with an advance copy of his book, he has done the nation a favour in writing it, as he has provided a one-stop shop on our stewardship to the country. The same has also
been done by Dr. Udu Yakubu and his colleagues.
“Without documentation, revisionism wins. Human beings often have short memories, and unless events are recorded in cold print, some people would come and attempt to either distort, or even obliterate recent history,” he said.
The former president, however, noted that he was relieved because everything was done in the open during his tenure.
Buhari said: “But the fact in our favour is that nothing was done under the veil of secrecy. We were as transparent and accountable as possible, being aware of the fact that posterity was the ultimate judge.
“We kept records of our stewardship, knowing that we would always be required to account for the trust entrusted to us. This event today is part of accounting for our two terms in office, and I thank those who have laboured day and night, to ensure that this history is recorded for now and the future.”
He stressed that government is a continuum. “It is like a relay race. You run your course, and hand over the baton to the next person. This we have done, and the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu administration has my support and confidence, in the quest for us to have a country of our dreams, where there is emancipation for our teeming population.”
He added: “In our journey to the desired destination, there will be hard decisions taken, and the people would bear some costs. We can only seek their understanding, and state that there was no intention to deliberately inflict pain and anguish on anyone.”
“Sacrifices are still being made now, and will continue to be part of our national life and development. Governments will continually seek the understanding and support of the people they lead, for our ultimate good and goal.”