President Muhammadu Buhari apologised to Nigerians again for his administration’s eight-year economic reforms. Buhari apologised to Nigerians in late April.
On Sunday, the outgoing President touted that reforms helped his government battle corruption.
President Buhari urged political stakeholders to accept the 2023 general election court cases, expressing delight that he is leaving Nigeria better than in 2015.
The president also praised the courage of President-elect Bola Tinubu, his 10-year political friend, calling him the greatest choice to succeed him.
In his farewell speech, Buhari noted that the 2023 presidential election was the most closely contested since the First Republic, showing that Nigeria’s democracy was improving with each election.
“To take Nigeria’s rightful place among nations, we must improve and sustain electoral gains incrementally.”Our democracy enables and encourages candidates and political parties that disagreed with the results to sue.
“Regardless of the various cases, I urge all parties involved to accept the decision of our courts and join hands to build a better Nigeria,” Buhari said.
He praised all presidential candidates and their political parties for trusting the judicial system and appealing the election results to court.
“During the campaigns, we argued and disagreed on how to make Nigeria better, but we never disagreed or had any doubts that Nigeria must be better,” he said.
As your President, I call on all of us to use our individualism, unity, and beliefs to make Nigeria operate better and together with one spirit and one purpose.I congratulate my brother, friend, and political colleague of 10 years, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, on the realisation of your ambition, which was driven by a determination to make Nigeria a world leader.
You worked hard for this day, and God rewarded you. “You are the best candidate among all the contestants and Nigerians have chosen well,” Buhari said.
The outgoing president called the last eight years exhilarating in his pursuit of a united, peaceful, and safe Nigeria with public goods and services.
President Buhari said he started this trip with a lot of hope and expectation from Nigerians, adding that he never intended to be politically correct but to do the right things to improve Nigerians’ lives.
He said he had high expectations because, like most Nigerians, he was tired of seeing the country go away from morality.
“To ensure that our democracy remains resilient and our elected representatives remain accountable to the people, I am leaving behind an electoral process that guarantees that votes count, results are credible, elections are fair and transparent, and money in politics is reduced to the barest minimum. Nigerians may choose leaders.
“This process provided an even playing field where persons without any political godfather or access to money defeated other well-resourced candidates,” he said.
He said the Nigerian economy has become more resilient due to initiatives to keep it afloat throughout global economic downturns.
President Buhari recalled the COVID-19 pandemic-related supply chain disruptions and economic slowdown of 2020–2022.
He said his government’s pandemic reaction was a global best practise.
He also claimed that his administration helped impoverished and rural Nigerians earn a living, fed millions in communities, and offered women jobs.
He also assisted urban youth to apply their abilities and enabled the private sector to invest in firms with assured returns.
The growing number of turn-key projects in many industries showed that the business sector supported his government’s efforts to develop a robust and sustainable economy.
We made tough decisions to rebuild the economy, most of which worked. He remarked, “Some of the measures caused temporary pain and suffering, for which I apologise to my fellow countrymen, but they were taken for the overall good of the country.”
The outgoing president said his administration concluded age-old projects and processes to provide appropriate infrastructure to fuel economic growth.
The Petroleum Industry Act (PIA), electricity projects, the Second Niger Bridge, and key roadways connecting cities and states were among his accomplishments.
He also praised his administration’s success in ensuring Nigerians’ safety.
“As I complete my term in office, we have reduced banditry, terrorism, armed robbery, and other criminal activities considerably,” he stated.
President Buhari advised Nigerians to be extra attentive and support the security authorities by upholding key values like being brothers’ keepers to maintain progress.
I still cry for our children in captivity and mourn with parents, friends, and relatives of all those who lost loved ones in the senseless brigandage and slaughter. He said, “Our security agencies are working 24/7 to secure the safe release of all those in unlawful captivity.”
He added that he was resolved to rid the country of corrupt practises that have hampered her progress towards greatness.
Despite resistance, I pursued this commitment. “I’m glad that huge sums of money and properties illegally acquired from our commonwealth have been repatriated,” he added.
Buhari also said that noteworthy Nigerians in global leadership positions have increased Nigeria’s worldwide impact.
He said Nigeria’s democracy thrives on the separation of powers.
The outgoing president praised the National Assembly leadership and members for their patriotism without compromising their oversight responsibilities.
“I also want to thank many Nigerians who supported and encouraged me on this exciting journey of moving Nigeria forward.”During my first term, millions prayed for me. I always pray for you and Nigeria’s peace.As I return home to Daura, Katsina State, I feel fulfilled that we have started the Nigeria Re-Birth by taking the first crucial steps, and I am confident that the next administration would speed up our path to witness a great Nigeria.
“I’m confident I’ll leave office with Nigeria better in 2023 than in 2015,” Buhari said.