It was reflection time for President Muhammadu Buhari as he sat down with his family, other close relatives, friends and associates who gathered to celebrate him on his 80th birthday.
Buhari who reminisced about his life, particularly his involvement in politics, dwelt on the pressure of being president, his family and life after office.
He said he was pained by the rumour sparked by his prolonged hospitalisation in London in 2017 when some people claimed he had died and a Jubril from Sudan had been procured as a body double to replace him.
He described the brains behind the rumour as cheeky and mischievous.
He spoke in a documentary which was one of the highlights of the birthday event.
Responding to a question in the documentary about whether he was bothered by the rumour, he said he also heard it but chose not to be distracted by it.
But he said he did not find it funny.
“Yes. People said I am somebody from Sudan. I didn’t bother with the name. Some Nigerians have mischievous ways of explaining themselves,” he said.
He added: “No. It’s not funny because those who made those statements, they just want to be cheeky. They want to distract attention from the main issue.
“Our main issue is to do the infrastructure, make people aware that they need to work hard to live well; they just enjoy life without earning the respect of their community and so on.”
He promised to continue to do his best in service to Nigeria, despite criticisms from some quarters that he has not done enough.
Asked what he would miss most when he leaves office in May next year, the President said he would not miss much.
“I wonder if I am going to miss much. I think I’m being harassed. I believe I’m trying my best but still my best is not good enough because there are people around that think that they can intimidate me to get what they want, instead of going through certain systems to earn whatever they want to earn and they are same people who want to be clever by half.”
On his family, Buhari recalled how he lost two of his children to sickle cell.
The children were born by his late wife Safinatu.
He said the loss of the two kids informed his decision to insist that his second wife, Aisha, must be AA genotype so that the family might not experience again what befell the late children.
Vice President Professor Yemi Osinbajo, proposing a toast to the President, described him as a forthright, good and kind man.
He praised President Buhari for leading the nation with great courage, determination and commitment.
He cited an instance when the President stopped the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) from investigating fraud allegations against him (Osinbajo).
Osinbajo said he had taken it upon himself to write the EFCC to institute the probe in 2018 after the House of Representatives Ad hoc Committee on Emergency and Disaster Preparedness indicted the governing board of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) headed by him for illegal approval of the N5.8 billion North-East intervention fund.
The VP had dismissed the claim as baseless and invited the police to investigate the allegations against him.
His words: “One day, I went to him because there were some allegations that were made against me.
“And I was so angry; so I went to him to show him the letter I had written to the EFCC to investigate.
“He looked at it and looked at me because he calls me VP or professor depending on his mood.
“This time he said, ‘VP, why do you worry yourself about all these people? These people just make all sorts of allegations, they make all sorts of stories up, even they are saying that I am about to get married again. And even some foolish people were waiting at the National Mosque, waiting for me to come and marry again.”
Tinubu: Buhari’s place in history is guaranteed
The All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential candidate, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, who was one of the close associates of the President at the event, said Buhari’s place in history was assured for integrity, transparency and transformative leadership.
He said the president would be remembered like Charles de Gaulle of France, Winston Churchill of Britain and Franklin Roosevelt of America when he leaves office.
Tinubu said Buhari had carefully influenced Nigeria’s history with a unique leadership style that is selfless, sacrificial and responsive to the needs of the people.
He said:“You have been at the helm of affairs at a critical time in Nigeria’s history. We have seen a life of commitment, dedication, patriotism and honesty. You have done well.
“Our nation has seen the difference. The leadership style you demonstrated while reading your speech during inauguration, when you said dollars or pounds you had not, and even if you had it, you will not pay.
“You are a man of integrity, great commitment and exceptional humility.
”The nation may not at this stage appreciate who you are, as we know, but there is one thing, you belong to the ranks of generals who came at challenging periods to serve like Winston Churchill of Britain, Charles De Gaulle of France and Franklin Roosevelt of America.”
The presidential candidate said Buhari would continue to stand out among leaders for the courage he brought to democracy in Nigeria, demonstrating and supporting transparency and honesty in electoral processes.
Tinubu, who was in attendance, along with his running mate, Senator Kashim Shettima, said “the leadership you have demonstrated reminded me of the speech you gave at the Primary Convention when you won the nomination. You thanked the people with all humility and said even if you had the money, you would not have paid, but that is because they know who you are, a man of integrity, great commitment, transparent and exceptional humility.”
Tinubu prayed that “God will continue to spare you to see the history as you want it for the country, the ship of this nation will be on the right course. You will live long to enjoy a nice evening of democracy that you brought about.
“When you talk of PVC, card reader, transparency and honesty in the electoral process, like you did, we can only promise not to let you down. Enjoy 80 till you celebrate other birthdays.”
Also eulogizing the President, former Ogun State governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun, described the President as a man with an impeccable character and a lover of Nigeria.
“He is a man who all of us; even his adversaries will agree that this is a man with a flawless character, a man with a good heart, very compassionate, very committed and a good listener.
“Somebody that loves his family, Nigeria; he is a nationalist. President Muhammadu Buhari will always think about others. In his own little way and even in his humorous way, he will always not just think about himself. He is somebody that is not bothered about all these worldly things. He is already a contented human being”, he said.
Ebonyi State Governor David Umahi described President Buhari as a detribalised person that means well for Nigeria.
“Let me say here that the President is a very highly detribalised personality. He is a man that loves this nation. Every time you meet him, he laments about the level of patriotism of our people. You will see a man that has passion for the people of this country, a man that loves every section of this country,” he said.
The governor used the occasion to thank President Buhari for completing the Second Niger Bridge, which is now facilitating the movement of people and goods to the eastern part of the country this yuletide season.
The President’s eldest daughter, Fatima Buhari, who spoke on behalf of her siblings and the entire family, thanked him for investing in their future by giving them the needed training and caring for their wellbeing.
“We are deeply honoured to be here celebrating the 80th birthday of our beloved father. I thank almighty Allah for his mercy and grace, for giving our beloved father long life and good health.
“Baba is someone who money cannot buy. That is one thing we know and he taught us that. He taught us humility, loyalty, integrity, dignity and honesty and he has a very good sense of humour. He gave us everything a parent will give his child; love, care, good education, shelter and many more,” she said.
There were good will messages from traditional rulers, who all eulogised President Buhari as a man of integrity and a huge sense of humour.
Information and Culture Minister Lai Mohammed, led other members of the President’s cabinet as they presented a giant birthday card, as they rejoiced with him on his 80th birthday.
Governors who also graced the occasion were Aminu Masari of Katsina State and Atiku Bagudu of Kebbi.
Buhari became an octogenarian on December 17 but was in Washington DC, attending the US-African Summit.
The documentary, produced and directed by US-based film maker, Ose Oyemadan, showcased the President’s early life, school days, military career, rise as Head of State in 1984, coup and imprisonment, release, PTF days and return to democracy.
The President contested elections in 2003, 2007, 2011, 2015, when he won and his re-election in 2019.
The narrative was driven by the President, and supported with deep and authoritative insights by his nephew, Mamman Daura, classmate, Sen. Abba Ali, close family members, friends, aides and political associates, including Vice President Osinbajo, and FCT Minister of State, Dr Ramatu Aliyu.
Others were the President’s spokesman, Femi Adesina,his former running mate in CPC, Pastor Tunde Bakare, Minister of Works and Housing, Babatunde Fashola, Special Envoy to Chad, Amb, Babagana Kingibe, State Chief of Protocol, Lawal Kazaure, SGF, Boss Mustapha, Chief of Staff to the President, Prof Ibrahim Gambari and publisher/biographer, John Paden.
Speakers in the documentary underscored the President’s integrity, loyalty and commitment to national development, and his distaste for tribalism, laziness, insincerity and corruption.
At the event, which was compered by Minister of Aviation, Hadi Sirika, tributes poured from the Vice President, President Buhari’s eldest daughter, Fatima Abba, Sen. Ibikunle Amosun, Gov. David Umahi of Ebonyi, Oni of Ife, Adeyeye Ogunwusi, Oba of Benin, Oba Ewuare II and Emir of Kazaure, Alhaji Hajeeb Adamu.
Umahi and Amosun, who were in opposition party, PDP, told the gathering how the President’s warmth, friendliness and empathy attracted them to the APC.
The royal fathers on their parts, recounted personal experiences, and how infrastructural development had touched the lives of Nigerians, like Lagos-Ibadan expressway and the Second Niger Bridge.
The night of tribute on the President’s 80th birthday was also witnessed by National Chairman of the APC, Abdullahi Adamu, Gov. Aminu Masari of Katsina State, Gov. Atiku Bagudu of Kebbi, former Governors, Rotimi Amaechi and Adams Oshiomhole, service chiefs, ministers, political associates of the president, and family members.
The business community was represented by Aliko Dangote, Abdulsamad Rabi’u, Tope Shonubi, Faruk Aliyu, Nasiru Danu and others.
Vote for those who’ll maintain momentum for Nigeria’s good
In a separate message yesterday on the occasion of Christmas, Buhari stressed the need for Nigerians to be circumspect and vote for those who have the capacity to “maintain the momentum we have created for the greater good of the country.”
He also assured Nigerians that those who sought to violently disrupt the peace of Nigeria had lost the battle, saying better dawn awaited Nigeria in 2023 and beyond.
He described his 2022 Christmas message as his last as president and the celebration unique.
He said:“It is my last Christmas message as president. Twenty-two weeks from now, this administration will hand over to another.’’
“It is another opportunity to show the rest of the world that Nigeria is indeed ready to consolidate its democratic credentials as has been noted in international circles.
“Let the peace and joy that pervade this period continue well into the new year up to the elections in February and beyond.
“I want to assure Nigerians that those who seek to violently disrupt the peace of our nation have lost the battle.
“Our country is blessed with a wealth of human and material resources. Let’s celebrate our blessings this season with the trust that a better dawn awaits Nigeria,’’ he said.
While wishing all citizens a Merry Christmas, Buhari enjoined Nigerians to continue to celebrate Christmas as united people, showing genuine love, care, compassion and empathy for one another.
“I heartily rejoice with our Christian brothers and sisters on the occasion of this year’s Christmas.
“Many of us look forward to this festive season as a time to travel, share gifts, spend quality time with family and friends, attend special carols and events, and generally relive the good moments of the year.
“In whatever circumstance we find ourselves, Christmas is a period when we come together to rejoice and set aside our differences.
“We must never lose sight of the symbiotic relationship between Christmas and hope; between Jesus Christ and humility and between Christianity and grace,’’ he said.
According to him, in this season of love, joy and peace, privileged citizens must not fail to remember those who really wish to celebrate, but are constrained in one way or the other by reaching out to them.
“Together we can make this celebration a spectacular one by renewing our pledge and common resolve to work for the unity and prosperity of our dear country,’’ the president stressed.
The president reiterated the determination of his administration to continue to provide political and material support to sub-national governments, the Armed Forces, institutions and individuals working wholeheartedly for the peace, unity, stability and progress of the country.
“The advances we have made so far on the economic front, especially in infrastructure, food security, anti-corruption, security, energy sufficiency, among others, will need to be built upon,’’ he added.
Buhari also urged Nigerians to be circumspect and vote for those that would maintain the momentum created by the ruling government for the greater good of the country.
“This joyous season has coincided with the period of campaigns to usher in a new administration.
“I urge you to be circumspect and vote for those that will maintain the momentum we have created for the greater good of the country.”
