Nigeria Has Been Tough, I’m Eager To Go – Buhari Laments

President Muhammadu Buhari has said he is “eager” to leave the government and hand over to his successor because “it’s been tough.”

The president said this while receiving some governors of the All Progressives Congress (APC), legislators and political leaders at his residence in Daura, Katsina State, on Monday.

The President had travelled to Daura on Friday ahead of the Eid-el-Kabir celebrations.

Buhari told his guests that he would retire to his home town and not Kaduna State where he was prior to his coming to power.

“By this time next year, I would have made the most out of the two terms, and the remaining months I will do my best,”” he said.

The President told the governors and political leaders that he had not been to his house in Daura for close to a year due to the demands of office.

“I wish the person who is coming after me the very best,” he said.

“I am eager to go. I can tell you it has been tough. I am grateful to God that people appreciate the personal sacrifices we have been making,” he added.

On the campaign podiums across the country in 2015, Buhari had summed up his assignment under three headings. He said he would rid the country of corruption, end the reign of terror or insurgency in the North-East and revamp the economy.

Speaking in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital in January 2015, Buhari had said, “The fundamental issue facing this country is insecurity and the problem of the economy, which was being made worse by corruption.

“I assure you that we are going to finally assemble a competent team of Nigerians to efficiently manage the country. I am appealing to you, the damage done to this country is great. The level of unemployment, level of insecurity is intolerable. The journey has begun. It will take time, it will take patience; it will take support from you to make sure that we succeed.”

Capitalising on the nation’s poor economic outlook under former President Goodluck Jonathan, Buhari had declared that if elected as President to replace Jonathan, he would make Nigeria “one of the fastest-growing economies in the world.”

But after seven years in power, the Buhari government has amassed huge foreign debts for the country, as inflation continues to rise and unemployment worsens.

For many Nigerians, the big monster has been insecurity with bandits, kidnappers, Fulani herdsmen and Boko Haram having a free reign of terror under the Buhari shadowy government.

I Could Have Done Better If Given More Support – President Buhari Laments

President Muhammadu Buhari says he could have done better if he had gotten more support from Nigerian business, political, media and civil society leaders.

The president stated this at a dinner in honour of the 2022 Committee of Business, Political, Media and Civil Society Leaders at the State House, Abuja, on Monday.

”But we probably would have fared even better if we secured the support of most of you that are here today, know that while government comes and goes, the country must remain and thrive,” ’’It is our desire to finish strong in the next 16 months and ensure all hands are on deck for the last lap. We are doubling our efforts against all forms of insecurity, equipping our armed forces and strengthening the police,” Mr Buhari explained. “We are determined to continue the war against corruption and fight poverty, we remain focused on building an all-inclusive economic opportunity for all citizens.”

The president told the meeting that despite the enormous problems his regime inherited when he assumed office almost seven years ago, he could look back with satisfaction that this administration has kept faith with the people.

According to him, the administration has done well even amid dwindling resources for reasons that are well beyond our control.

The convener of the group and chairman of THISDAY/ARISE Media Group, Nduka Obaigbena, said with Nigeria facing a ”historic transition like no other,” and with crises across Africa and at home, the committee emerged to defend the national interest.

”The 2022 Committee was put together to defend Nigeria in a time of crisis and in a time of transition, we must defend the national interest,’’ said Mr Obaigbena.

He noted that membership of the group had been carefully selected from the business community, investors, governors, security sector and elder statesmen.