President Muhammadu Buhari has revealed how his cronies pressured him for land allocations in Abuja, the federal capital.
The President admitted he was overwhelmed by his associates inundated requests for land allocations in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
Buhari disclosed this when he hosted Abuja residents led by FCT minister Mohammed Bello, who paid him the traditional Christmas Day homage at the weekend, in the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
According to the Nigerian leader, the attempt by his cronies to influence the sale of Abuja properties to them was unusual. Buhari said he was aware that the FCT minister is burdened with requests for land allocation from highly-placed Nigerians, including his associates.
The President recalled how one of his cronies asked him to speak to the FCT minister to allocate him a plot of land, quoting the person as saying, I will sell it and use the money to marry another wife. However, the President did not say how many of such requests he acceded to.
Recall that Buhari has been criticised for his ethnic and nepotistic considerations in giving appointments and other opportunities.
The President also mentioned that about 45 percent of those who have been given land allocation in the FCT have sold it and didnt develop it according to the laid-down criteria (master plan). He told members of the FCT community that he is yet to build a new house in Daura, or anywhere, and hoped to live in his old house.
Meanwhile, the FCT minister expressed delight that the Christmas homage had returned after two years suspension due to the outbreak of Covid-19. He prayed to God to grant the president a peaceful and healthy retirement.
