I’m looking forward to being former president ― Buhari

President Muhammadu Buhari on Thursday said he is looking forward to the end of his tenure when he will become known as former president.

He reiterated that he will not go beyond the constitutional permitted two tenure unlike traditional rulers who he observed their appointments are terminal.

The president gave made the declaration on Thursday while dpeaking at a courtesy visit to the palace of Emir of Lafia, Nasarawa State, retired Justice Sidi Bage Muhammad 1.

He also admonished the nation’s leaders who take the oath of office, swearing with the Holy Book, to be careful not to abuse the trust of leadership placed on them by the people and God.

A statement issued by Femi Adesina, Special Adviser to the President (Media & Publicity) quoted him as saying, “The traditional ruler is on a terminal appointment. Constitutionally, we (elected public office holders) are not. I cannot go beyond two terms and I have sworn by the Holy Quran that I will uphold the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

“Politics apart, whenever we are made to swear by the Holy Quran, we have to be very careful. We must make sure that we do not abuse the trust God has given us as leaders.

“I have seen former governors here and I am looking forward to also becoming a former President.”

President Buhari thanked the people of Nasarawa State for a rousing welcome, expressing delight that the North-Central State was wearing a new look since his last visit in 2019.

He congratulated the immediate past governor and senator representing Nasarawa South Senatorial District, Umaru Tanko Al-Makura and the incumbent, Governor Abdullahi Sule, for the laudable initiatives and accomplishments in the state.

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According to the statement, while welcoming the president to the over 200-year old palace, the Emir of Lafia thanked him for ending the problem of insufficient power to Nasarawa State with the provision of 330kVA sub-station.

The Emir, who is also the Chairman, Nasarawa State Council of Chiefs, told the president that the provision of the electricity plant “has taken out 80 percent of our problem.”

He said: “Our people have never had it so good. Our people are back to their normal life as entrepreneurs,” he said while adding that the Federal Government projects that were “standing as ghosts” in the state in the past have now become a reality.

The retired jurist listed the newly inaugurated CBN Building in Lafia, the Federal Secretariat, UBEC Smart School and completed ecological projects, just to mention but a few.

The statement informed that on arrival in the capital for his 2-day State Visit to Nasarawa, President Buhari inaugurated the Lafia Airport, Vocational and Skills Acquisition Centre, Modern Bus Terminal and the Shinge-Barkini Abdullahi-Kilema road, executed by the State Government.

He also inaugurated CBN Lafia Branch building and a 330kva Akurba Transmission Substation executed by the Federal Government through the Niger Delta Power Holding Company (NDPHC) to boost power supply in the state and its environs.