President Muhammadu Buhari has asked Nigerians to pardon
him, especially those he might have hurt while discharging his duties.
He made the appeal on Friday, at an occasion to mark his
final outing as President on a Sallah Day, before handing over, thanking
Nigerians for the honour to serve for two terms, 2015-2023.
With less than 37 days left in office, the President recounted
his leadership roles in the country for more than forty years, serving
variously as a military officer, military governor, minister, and Head of
State, and returning as a democratically elected President in 2015.
He told residents of the Federal Capital Territory led by
the Minister, Muhammad Musa Bello, on Eid-el-Fitr Sallah homage, that his
journey was not all smooth as 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 Permanent Voters’ Card (PVC). The fraudulent
people became unemployed,” the President noted.
Buhari said the flaunting of ethnic and religious cards in
elections was “rubbish” as the presiding justices at the Supreme Court that
squashed his cases were Muslims, from the North, Zaria in Kaduna State, Niger
and Jigawa.
“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
spread to the FCT and all over the country.
“Those who wanted to make our lives uncomfortable reached
the FCT, and they have been marginalized,’’ he added.
Buhari also highlighted the strengths of democracy as a
system of government, particularly in providing opportunities for participation
and fostering 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 the Niger Republic.
“When the Minister of Interior wanted to shut down petrol
stations ten kilometres from the border, there was a fuel station close to my
house, and I pleaded if he could allow it to keep operating,” he added.
The President stated that he decided to retire to Daura,
which was far away from Abuja 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,” he said.
President Buhari said he accepted all the complaints and
criticisms in good stead, knowing it was part of the leadership he prayed and
asked 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.”
President Buhari said 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.
“I think it is a good coincidence for me to say goodbye to
you, and thank you for tolerating me for almost eight years,” the President said.
In his remark, the Minister of FCT thanked the President for
hosting residents for the 9th Eid-el-Fitr and allowing more people into the
Villa for the last homage, before his handing over on May 29th.
Bello said the conceptualization and realization of the FCT
were historic and deserved commendation, reminding 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.
The Vice President, Yemi Osinbajo, Senate President, Ahmad
Lawan, SGF, Boss Mustapha, Chief of Staff, Prof. Ibrahim Gambari, Senator
Philip Aduda, and CAN Chairman in FCT, Rev. Timothy Amakum were also at the
Sallah homage.
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