In a controlled gathering at the Presidential Villa in Abuja, President Muhammadu Buhari expressed his regret for any harm caused to Nigerians during his administration, with just 38 days left in his tenure. He also thanked the citizens for their support throughout his eight-year presidency, which began with his inauguration on May 29, 2015.
Buhari acknowledged his good fortune in serving as a politician, having held previous positions such as military governor of Borno State in 1976, Minister of Petroleum Resources in the same year, and Head of State from 1983 to 1985. He said, “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 think God has given me an incredible opportunity to serve as your president. And I thank God for that."
Buhari’s Apology to Those Hurt by His Administration
During his farewell Sallah homage, Buhari said, “Those that think that I have hurt them so much, please pardon me. I think this is a very good coincidence for me to say goodbye to you and thank you for tolerating me for more than seven and a half years. So, please, whoever feels I have done wrong to them, 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.”
Buhari’s Retirement Plan
Buhari also shared his retirement plan, saying, “I am counting the days. Democracy is a good thing; otherwise, how can somebody from the other side be a president for two terms? From my home town to the Niger Republic is eight kilometers. 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 (Daura, Katsina)."