President Muhammadu Buhari yesterday, subtly asked Nigerians to pardon him, especially those he may have hurt in the course of discharging his duties as President.
Buhari, who made the plea at an occasion to mark his final outing as President for the Eid-el-Fitr festivities, said it was an honour for Nigerians to allow him serve for two terms, 2015-2023
With less than 37 days left in office, the President recounted his leadership roles in the country for more than forty years, serving variously as a military officer, military governor, minister, and Head of State, and returning as a democratically elected President in 2015.
He told the residents of the Federal Capital Territory, (FCT), who were on the Sallah homage, led by the Minister, Muhammad Musa Bello, that his journey was not all smooth, saying he was incarcerated for three years, after the coup that ousted him from power in August, 1984, and contested elections three times, 2003, 2007 and 2011, without success.
The President described the flaunting of ethnic and religious cards in elections was rubbish, as the presiding justices at the Supreme Court that squashed his cases were Muslims, from the North, Zaria in Kaduna State, Niger and Jigawa.
Buhari also highlighted the strengths of democracy as a system of government, particularly in providing opportunity to participate, and fostering a sense of belonging among citizens.
The President stated that he decided to retire to Daura, which is far away from Abuja, in order to get some respite after several years of work.
President Buhari said he accepted all the complaints and criticisms in good stead, knowing it was part of the leadership he prayed for and asked from God.
He further said, We are all humans, if I have hurt some people along the line of my service to the country, I ask that they pardon me.
All those that I have hurt, I ask that they pardon me.
President Buhari said he remains grateful to Nigerians, who voted him in 2015 and 2019, without any monetary incentive, with some trooping to the campaigns, and receptions in States just to catch a glimpse.
In his remark, the Minister of FCT thanked the President for hosting residents for the 9th Eid-el-Fitr, and allowing more people into the Villa for the last homage, before his handing over on May 29th.
