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

Tamarauemi Ebimini

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.”

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.

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.