I’ve Got What I Asked For, ‘My Hometown Is Very Close To Niger Republic’
President Muhammadu Buhari has said that he can’t wait to go home after eight years of being President of Nigeria.
He said this at his final Sallah homage held at the Presidential Villa, Abuja on Friday.
The President described himself as being lucky, to have led Nigeria in various capacity – governor, minister, head of state and President.
He thanked the residents of Abuja for tolerating him in the last seven and half years.
“I can’t wait to go home…I deliberately arranged to be as far away as possible from you people. I have got what I have asked and will quietly retire to my home town in Daura,” the President stated.
He said he considered the Sallah celebration as a good coincidence to say goodbye and to “thank you for tolerating me for eight years.”
President Buhari said “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.”
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 all from the North and Muslims and yet he lost.
He said thanks to technology and the permanent voters card (PVC), he was able to make it in 2015 to Aso Rock.
“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.
“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,” he added.
Minister of Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Mohammed Bello, noted that in few weeks the President will conclude a very successful tenure.
He said under the Buhari administration, the FCT has witnessed tremendous transformation infrastructure wise.
He thanked the president for appointing him as minister, saying it’s one position he will cherish forever.
He described Senator Philip Aduda as a bridge builder despite being in the opposition party.
The highlight of the event was was the presentation of the a giant Sellah greetings card to the president.
Chairman of Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), 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 office leaves office to continue play the role of an elder statesman.
The cleric also prayed that God will help the incoming administration to continue the great work the Buhari administration.
He commended the Minister of FCT for the good job he has done and prayed that Christians and Muslims will continue to co-exist peacefully.
Executive Director Al-Halbbiya Foundation Adeyemi Faud, also confirmed that Christians and Muslims live peacefully in the FCT and commended the cordial relationship between residents of the federal capital of different religions.
