Buhari Asks Nigerians For Pardon As He Prepares To Step Down.
President Muhammadu Buhari, who has been in office since May 2015, has thanked Nigerians for “tolerating” his eight-year regime. The President, a former military governor, petroleum minister, and one-time head of state, asked Nigerians hurt by his policies for forgiveness as he prepares to step down from office in just 38 days. Speaking at the ninth and final Sallah homage held at the Presidential Villa in Abuja, Buhari described himself as a lucky and fulfilled politician who was given an incredible opportunity to serve as president.
Buhari Asks Nigerians For Pardon As He Prepares To Step Down.
Buhari acknowledged that he had hurt some people during his tenure and asked for their pardon. He also announced his plans to retire to his hometown in Daura, Katsina, and stay away from party politics for a while. The President expressed his appreciation for the love and support shown to him by Nigerians, but said that he had achieved what he set out to do and would rather retire quietly to his hometown.
Buhari also addressed the issue of nepotism and ethnic sentiments in the Nigerian justice system, saying that he lost all of the election cases he took to the Supreme Court, despite all the justices in those cases being Northern Muslims. He faulted the narrative that justice cannot be found in the courts due to nepotism and ethnic sentiments.
The Sallah homage was attended by various dignitaries, including Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, Senate President Ahmed Lawan, and the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Mohammed Bello. The Chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria, FCT chapter, Timothy Amakon, thanked the President for transforming the nation and prayed that God strengthens him to continue serving as an elder statesman after office. The Executive Director of the Al-Halbbiya Foundation, Adeyemi Faud, commended the cordial relationship shared by Christians and Muslims residing in the FCT.
Buhari Asks Nigerians For Pardon As He Prepares To Step Down.
Senator Philip Aduda, who has served as Senator for twelve years, thanked Buhari for engendering political tolerance and for not insisting that the senatorial seat in the FCT goes to a member of the governing All Progressives Congress. The Sallah homage involved members of the FCT community and was attended by service chiefs, cabinet members, presidential aides, traditional rulers, the business community, among others.
Read More: Buhari Lists 2023 Elections As One of His Greatest Achievements As a President
In conclusion, President Buhari thanked Nigerians for tolerating his eight-year regime and asked those he may have hurt for forgiveness. He also announced his plans to retire quietly to his hometown in Daura, Katsina, and stay away from party politics for a while. The President addressed the issue of nepotism and ethnic sentiments in the Nigerian justice system and faulted the narrative that justice cannot be found in the courts. The Sallah homage was attended by various dignitaries, including the Vice President, Senate President, and the Minister of the FCT.