President Bola Tinubu has poured encomium on his predecessor, Muhammadu Buhari for courageously taking over the reigns of government in May, 2015 at a critical time when terrorism was at its peak in the country.
The President, who spoke on Tuesday as Chief Guest at the launch of the book, “Working with Buhari, Reflections of a Special Adviser on Media and Publicity(2015–2023) authored by erstwhile presidential spokesperson, Femi Adesina, said he inherited a job of securing every inch of the country which is yet to be finished.
Emphasising that the task of governing the country was not an easy one, President Tinubu said ex- 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 the nation’s territory in North East.
According to him, “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.”l
“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 existential threat to our sovereignty.
The President also boasted that his government will stamp out the remaining vestiges of Boko Haram, banditry and kidnapping gangs, adding that “we won’t rest until every agent of darkness is completely rooted out.
“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, banditry and kidnapping gangs. We won’t rest until every agent of darkness is completely rooted out.”
Speaking further at the well attended book launch, which had Alhaji Mohammed Indimi as chief launcher, former Vice President Yemi Osinbajo as well as former ministers who served under Buhari’s government, President Tinubu said he was elated to receive his predecessor in Abuja.
His words, “We are all here today to honour a great man, a patriot, a dedicated public servant who offered his best in the service of our country since he joined the army in 1962 at age 18.
“President Buhari served our country with dedication and uncommon zeal. First as a military officer who offered unblemished service, manning important commands and political positions, and crowning it as military Head of State on 1st January 1984. Second, as a politician who ran four times for the highest office until he was elected President in 2015.
“The authors of the books we are here to present to the public have done justice to the essential Muhammadu Buhari, especially on his tenure and legacy as the 15th President of Nigeria.”
President Tinubu also hinted that he has adopted a policy of non-interference, which he observed, was the hallmark of Buhari.
Tinubu stated: “After handing over, you said ‘I will be far away in Daura but if you need me, contact me. But I won’t intrude in whatever you are doing. I won’t interfere or breathe down your throat.”
“We’ve partnered to make democracy flourish in Nigeria. President Muhammadu Buhari, thank you. Except when I call you to say how are you living? How you in the farm? We don’t hear from you either to nominate or intrude the cabinet or complain about anything. Thank you for being who you are.”
“Well, I’ve emulated you, one of those things is non-interference, being a democrat, responsible for nation building. Staying on course, I am determined to do just that. Because I campaigned for this job. And you told me in our discussions it’s not easy. But I went out there dancing for it, making promises, doing Kokoma, doing all collabos, making music. So, I cannot complain. We will be there”.
He said history will be kind to Ex-President Buhari for promoting local production of goods to grow the economy as well as infrastructural development of the nation
According to him: “It will be said glowingly of President Buhari that in his eight turbulent years, marked by acute shortage of revenue, 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 Lagos-Ibadan Expressway. He gave us the Lagos-Ibadan and Warri-Itakpe Rail lines. He completed 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.
“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.”
President Tinubu said he would stay the course and deliver on the campaign promises he made to Nigerians.
The President affirmed that his removal of petroleum subsidy has stopped those who he said were fleecing Nigerians.
His words: “It is been a wonderful time for our nation. Very wonderful indeed. We are facing the rollercoaster. Same battle too. We removed subsidy, we stopped those people fleecing Nigerians.
“Yes. I know they will complain. It is same thing all over. The lesson is learned from you. But the milk of kindness for a nation development and prosperity is not fermented from you, it is learnt.”
Also speaking at the occasion, Buhari, who was visiting the nation’s capital for the first time since leaving office in May 29, 2023, assured that he kept record of everything done under his administration saying he was aware that he might be required to give account of his stewardship.
While noting the efforts of the authors of the books to document his administration’s achievements, former President Buhari said: “Without documentation, revisionism wins. Human beings often have short memories, and unless events are recorded in cold print, some people would come and attempt to either distort, or even obliterate recent history.
“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.
“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.
“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.
“President 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.
“With the cumulative achievements of government after government, I believe we will get there in no distant time.
“In our journey to the desired destination, there will be hard decisions taken, and the people would bear some costs. We can only seek their understanding, and state that there was no intention to deliberately inflict pain and anguish on anyone.
“This is why I apologized to such people at the end of our time in office. Sacrifices are still being made now, and will continue to be part of our national life and development. Governments will continually seek the
understanding and support of the people they lead, for our ultimate good and goal.
“Let revisionists not rejoice that they have the ultimate say in the bid to distort history. Facts and records will ultimately prove them wrong. When some people engage in deliberate falsehood and distortion of facts that pertain to our tenure in office, I take solace in the fact that records are there, and will remain inviolable.”
Deji Elumoye in Abuja
Follow us on:
