He’s the worst president in Nigeria’s history –Clark
Under Tinubu, Nigeria’s commonwealth will be deployed for Nigerians, wife says
BY UKONO UKPONG & STEPHEN GBADAMOSI
As President Muhammadu Buhari bids farewell to Nigerians after eight years in office, he says that he feels fulfilled for starting the Nigeria Re-Birth by taking the initial critical steps that will help the incoming administration to quicken the pace and ensure that Nigeria fulfills its destiny of being a great nation.
In his farewell speech delivered yesterday morning, President Buhari said that one of his greatest achievements was ensuring that money politics in Nigeria is reduced to its barest minimum.
“As I retire home to Daura, Katsina State, I feel fulfilled that we have started the Nigeria Re-Birth by taking the initial critical steps and I am convinced the in-coming administration will quicken the pace of this walk to see a Nigeria that fulfils its destiny to be a great nation.
“I am confident that I am leaving office with Nigeria better in 2023 than in 2015.”
He said that now, Nigerians can now vote for the candidate of their choice without being induced with money.
This, he said, has helped to ensure that Nigeria’s democracy remains resilient and elected representatives remain accountable to the people.
“I am leaving behind an electoral process which guarantees that votes count, results are credible, elections are fair and transparent, and the influence of money in politics reduced to the barest minimum. And Nigerians can elect leaders of their choice.
“We are already seeing the outcome of this process as it provided an even playing field where persons without any political God-Father or access to money defeated other well-resourced candidates.
“The Nigerian economy has become more resilient due to the various strategies put in place to ensure that our economy remained afloat during cases of global economic downturns.
“You would all recall the supply chain disruptions and economic downturn that the world witnessed between 2020 and 2022 as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. The deftness of our response to the pandemic still remains a global best practice.
“Furthermore, we increased the ability of the poor and rural Nigerians to earn a living, provided more food for millions in our villages and gave our women opportunities to earn a living.
“Young men and women in urban centres were also supported to put their skills into productive use. Our administration also provided an enabling environment for the private sector to engage in businesses for which their return on investments is guaranteed.
He however, commended the private sector for proving to be a strong partner in his administration’s drive to build a resilient and sustainable economy, as evidenced by the growing number of turn-key projects in various sectors of the economy.
Speaking further, Buhari noted that in the course of revamping the economy, several difficult choices were made by the administration, most of which yielded the desired results.
While acknowledging that some of the measures taken then led to temporary pain and suffering, he apologised and explained that such measures were taken for the overall good of the country.
“Mindful of the need to ensure adequate infrastructure to drive economic growth, we completed age-long projects and processes notably amongst which are the Petroleum Industry Act, completion of some power projects, completion of the second Niger bridge and various important roads linking cities and states.
“Our battle to ensure that all Nigerians live in a safe and secure environment has achieved considerable results. As I complete my term in office, we have been able to reduce the incidences of banditry, terrorism, armed robbery, and other criminal activities considerably.
“To sustain the gains made so far, I call on all Nigerians to be more vigilant and support the security agencies by ensuring that our values defined by being your brothers’ keeper govern our actions.”
On the fight against corruption, Buhari said, “Fellow Nigerians, you know how dear the desire in my heart is, to rid the country of corrupt practices that had consistently diminished our efforts to be a great country.
“I did pursue this commitment relentlessly, in spite of the expected push back. I am happy that considerable progress had been made in repatriating huge sums of money back to the country and also taken over properties illegally acquired from our common wealth.
“To improve service delivery, we began the implementation of a number of reforms aimed at producing an Efficient, Productive, Incorruptible and Citizen-oriented (EPIC) Federal Civil Service and the results are beginning to show.
“On the international scene, Nigeria’s influence continues to grow as exemplified by notable Nigerians occupying headship and leadership positions in renowned global bodies.”
He therefore, called on Nigerians to improve and sustain the gains made in the electoral process, on an incremental basis for Nigeria to take its rightful place among Nations.
“Our democracy provides for, allows and encourages seeking redress for perceived injustices, enabling some candidates and political parties that did not agree with the results to go to court.
“Irrespective of the outcome of the various cases, I urge all parties involved to accept the decision of our courts and join hands to build a better Nigeria.
“To my brother, friend and fellow worker in the political terrain for the past ten years – Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu -, I congratulate you on the realisation of your dream, which was propelled by a burning passion to put Nigeria amongst the leading nations of the world.
“You have indeed worked for this day and God has crowned your efforts. I have no doubt that your passion for excellence, reliance on competence, fairness in relationships, commitment to equity, loyalty to the country and desire for Nigeria to be globally relevant would come through for you, under God’s guidance, as you lead our country to levels higher that I am leaving.
“You are the best candidate among all the contestants and Nigerians have chosen well.
“The last eight years have been an exciting experience in my desire and commitment to see a Nigeria in which public goods and services are available, and accessible within a united, peaceful and secure nation.
“Fellow Nigerians, on the strength of your overwhelming support for me and my political party, I started this journey with a great deal of promise and expectation from you. I never intended to be just politically correct but to do the correct things that will make meaningful impact on the lives of the common Nigerian.
“This high expectation was not misplaced because, like the ordinary Nigerian, I had grown tired of watching the country progressively moving away from the path of correctness.”
Meanwhile, President Buhari expressed regrets that up till now, some Nigerian children are still in captivity.
He assured that security agencies are working day and night to secure their release unharmed.
“Up-till now, I still grieve for our children still in captivity, mourn with parents, friends and relatives of all those that lost loved ones in the days of the senseless brigandage and carnage. For all those under unlawful captivity our Security Agencies are working round the clock to secure their release unharmed.”
But elder statesman, Edwin Clark was among the many Nigerians who rated Buhari’s 8 years in office poor on all grounds. According to Pa Clark, Buhari will go down in history as the worst President to have ruled the country.
In a related development, wife of the president-elect, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, who represented her husband, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, at the inter-denominational Christian service held in honour of her husband’s inauguration today (on Sunday), has declared that the wealth of the country belongs to the people; and that her husband will make it work for the good of all citizens of the country.
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She made the declaration on Sunday in Abuja during the Presidential Inauguration Inter-denominational Christian Service at the Ecumenical Centre, Abuja.
According to a statement issued by Tinubu’s spokesman, Tunde Rahman, and made available to journalists on Sunday, Mrs. Tinubu, in her remarks at the church service, attended by top Christian leaders across the country, said God had been kind and already blessed her family such that they didn’t need to abuse the position of public trust that had been bestowed on her husband, but to only use the resources of the country to improve the lives of citizens.
“We need your prayers. I call on Christian leaders all over Nigeria to, please, pray for us. Our country shall make progress and shall be the cynosure of all eyes among the comity of nations,” she added.
Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, who attended the service with his wife, Mrs. Dolapo Osinbajo, admonished the political, business and religious elites to work for the peace and prosperity of Nigeria, adding that God always spoke to nations through individuals.
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