President Mohammadu Buhari has said that that he would relocate from Abuja to his country home of Daura at the end of his second tenure in May 2023.
Buhari said that he would stay away from the Federal Capital Territory after May 29 next year to avoid problems.
Buhari made the comment while playing the host to the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) residents on Christmas homage on Sunday led by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Mohammed Bello.
“Thank you very much for taking your time to come and visit me and I congratulate you for this great day (Christmas).
“I have promised a lot of my colleagues that I will try and be as far away as possible from Abuja when I leave office, so that nobody can create any problem for me anymore.
“I will be in Daura, which is on the border with Niger Republic and I think in spite of technology, I will be safe enough there.”
The President reiterated his earlier position that he will not stay a day longer in office in strict adherence to the stipulation of the constitution.
Buhari who thanked Nigerians for giving him the requisite trust and support as the leader of the country recalled how Nigerians treated him very well when he visited the 776 local government areas before the 2015 general election.
“I thank God that before the 2019 elections, I went round the whole of the States and in 2003-2011, I went to all the Local Governments in this country and I thank Nigerians, the people who turned up in every Local Government were more than what anyone can buy.
“So, I was pleased with the way Nigerians highly treated me and accepted me. In five months’ time, I will happily retire according to the provisions of the constitution of the country and go back home,” he added.
In his remarks, the FCT Minister Bello, said it was compulsory to visit the President during major festivities because he is the Governor General of the FCT.
“It is not surprising to pay such visits because constitutionally, as the Governor General of the FCT, you are also the head of the administration of the FCT but you have graciously delegated that to me.
“Today marks a milestone for us because in 2020 and 2021 we could not pay such visits due to the emergence of coronavirus.
“This also presents the last Christmas that we are going to have an opportunity as residents of the FCT to come and pay you homage because in five months’ time, your tenure would have ended and the next Christmas will be under a new President.
“So, we use this opportunity to thank God almighty for having made it possible for us to witness several Christmas celebrations under your leadership. I wish to also on behalf of the entire residents of the FCT, wish you well and pray for God almighty to grant you long life, useful and healthy retirement in the next few months. We want to also extend our appreciation for what you have so far done for the country.”
The Vice President of the Christian Association of Nigeria Association, Rev Stephen Panya-Baba, who represented the President, Archbishop Danie Okoh, commended Buhari for working for the progress of the nation.
He thanked God for sustaining the unity of the country and prayed for a successful general election in 2023.
“We want to reassure you that in the twilight of your administration, that the Christian community is fully in support of you and praying that God will bless your effort and that this desire you have to see that the sufferings of the citizens of this nation is alleviated, will begin to yield fruits.
“We are not unaware of the challenges that you continue to face especially security challenges which have become a very persistent problem in our nation today and we are praying and we have not given up hope and we want to encourage you to continue doing your best and we believe God will one day intervene and do what man cannot do,” the Cleric stated.
The FCT minister later presented a
giant Christmas card to the President on behalf of residents of the Federal Capital Territory.
