I kept records of eight-year stewardship as president, says Buhari

The Nigeria’s former President Muhammadu Buhari on Tuesday disclosed that he kept records of his eight-year stewardship because he knew that he would always be required to account for the trust entrusted to him.

Penpushing reports that Buhari made this known at the public presentation of two books on his administration, “Reflections of a Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, 2015 – 2023, authored by Femi Adesina, his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity and “Muhammadu Buhari: The Nigerian Legacy (2015 – 2023), edited by Udu Yakubu.

The former President who handed power to President Bola Tinubu on May 29, 2023 after completing his term added that his administration was transparent and accountable, noting that nothing was done under the veil of secrecy.

“But the fact in our favour is that nothing was done under the veil of secrecy. We were as transparent and accountable as possible, being aware of the fact that posterity was the ultimate judge’, Buhari stated.

“We kept records of our stewardship, knowing that we would always be required to account for the trust entrusted to us. This event today is part of accounting for our two terms in office, and I thank those who have laboured day and night, to ensure that this history is recorded for now and the future,” he said.

Penpushing further reports that Buhari reiterated his support for his successor in the quest to have a better country, explaining that government is continuum and is like a relay race, which you run your course and hand over the baton to the net person

“Government is a continuum. It is like a relay race. You run your course, and hand over the baton to the next person. This we have done, and the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu administration has my support and confidence, in the quest for us to have a country of our dreams, where there is emancipation for our teeming population,” he said.

Penpushing reports that Buhari boasted that he remains committed to the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the leadership of President Bola Tinubu adding that he has abiding faith in the strength, unity and future of Nigeria.

‘I remain committed to our great party, the All Progressives Congress (APC), and the leadership of Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu. I have abiding faith in the strength, unity and future of Nigeria’, Buhari emphasised.

Penpushing further reports that the former president said the books were worthy to temporarily bring him out of resting in his native Daura, in Katsina State, back to Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT)

The incumbent President Bola Tinubu in his remarks at the ceremony extolled his predecessor, saying he(Buhari)served Nigeria with dedication and uncommon zeal, adding that since he left office he stayed far away and does not in any way interfere in the present administration.

“After handing over, you (Buhari) said, ‘I will be far away in Daura but if you need me, contact me. I won’t intrude on whatever you are doing. I won’t interfere. I won’t breathe down on your throat’, Tinubu disclosed.

The President on the authors of the books said they have done justice to the essential Muhammadu Buhari, especially on his tenure and legacy as the 15th President of Nigeria, adding that rather than interfere, Buhari has partnered with him to make democracy flourish in the country.

“We’ve partnered to make democracy flourish in Nigeria. You don’t hear from him (Buhari) either to nominate or intrude in the cabinet or complain about issues. Thank you for being who you are’, Tinubu stated.

‘President Buhari assumed office at a very difficult period of our national life when the economy was spiralling into recession and Boko Haram had taken over swaths of our territory in the NorthEast. At a point, it appeared even Abuja, the seat of government, would fall into the hands of Boko Haram with the bombing of the UN Building, Banex Plaza, Nyanya and other locations within the Federal Capital Territory’, he noted.

‘We cannot easily forget how our armed forces battled the Boko Haram terrorists under the leadership of President Buhari to reclaim our territory and push them to the fringes of Lake Chad where they no longer pose an existential threat to our sovereignty’, Tinubu added.

‘I must say the job of securing every inch of our country is yet to be finished. My government will stamp out the remaining vestiges of Boko Haram, Ansaru, banditry, and kidnapping gangs. We won’t rest until every agent of darkness is completely rooted out’, he said.

‘It will be said glowingly of President Buhari that in his eight turbulent years, marked by an acute shortage of revenue, the Covid-19 pandemic that shut down the global economy for almost two years, his administration embarked on the most ambitious infrastructural renewal for the country.”

“President Buhari gave us the second Niger Bridge. He revamped the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway. He gave us the Lagos-Ibadan and Warri-Itakpe Rail lines. He completed the Abuja-Kaduna rail line and Lekki Seaport. He built brand new airports, among many other landmark economic projects. The Abuja-Kaduna-Kano Expressway, which he started, will be completed by my administration, by the Grace of God.”

‘Whatever unresolved challenges faced by President Buhari in his eight years, our administration will endeavour to resolve them. As I said during the campaigns, I inherited all his assets and liabilities’, Tinubu added

“Our administration will continue to work, from where President Buhari stopped, to make our country better, create a vibrant economy, and secure the environment to bring more prosperity to our people’, he stressed.

Penpushing also reports that the former Military Head of State, General Yakubu Gowon in his own remarks pointed out that Buhari has done his best in contributing to the development of the country within period he served.

‘Former President Buhari has done his best in contributing to the development of the country. But there is no doubt that Nigeria is not bereft of critics, and strident criticisms are made on any subject, and that gives the impression as though nothing is achieved’, Gowon said

Penpushing further reports that other dignitaries at the book launch include Senate President, Senator Godswill Akpabio; Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt Hon Tajuddeen Abbas; former first lady, Aisha Buhari; former Vice President, Prof Yemi Osinbajo; Katsina State Governor, Dikko Radda, and Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke as well as several former Governors and former Ministers.

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