At the twilight of his administration, President Muhammadu Buhari begged Nigerians who might have been offended in the discharge of his duties for forgiveness.
The Senior Special Assistant to the President, Garba Shehu, said in a statement on Friday that Buhari made the appeal at an occasion to mark his last Sallah celebration.
“All those that I have hurt, I ask that they pardon me.” President Mohammadu Buhari pleaded.
He said the President Muhammadu Buhari thanked Nigerians for the honour to serve for two terms, 2015-2023, and pleaded that they pardon him especially those he might have hurt while discharging his duties.
The statement said with less than 37 days left in office, the President recounted his leadership roles in the country for more than 40 years he served variously as a military officer, military governor, minister, and Head of State, and returned as a democratically elected President in 2015.
“President Buhari 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.
According to the spokesman, President 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.
Shehu explained that President Buhari emphasized the strengths of democracy as a system of government, particularly in providing opportunities to participate 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 to 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.
He said the President would be retiring to Daura, which was far away from Abuja in order 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.
According to Shehu, President Buhari 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.
Shehu said President Buhari remained grateful to Nigerians, who voted 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.
According to Shehu, the Minister of FCT, Bello 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 was 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.” The statement said.
