The president added that he expects residents to acknowledge the same once he leaves office, in an exclusive interview with NTA that was monitored by The Guardian yesterday.
"What I anticipate Nigerians to say is that this man has done his best," adding that after leaving office in approximately 17 months, he expects to take a well-deserved break.
"What else can I do for this country? I've given it my all, and I hope Nigerians will reflect once I depart. I don't expect any thanks, but I do expect Nigerians to acknowledge that this man has done his best", he said.
He informed citizens that he is looking forward to leaving office, claiming that working long hours every day has taken its toll on him.
Many of his colleagues, he said, are now enjoying their retirement, and he wants to follow in their footsteps when his term ends in 2023.
"I suppose COVID-19 has come to my rescue in the sense that the amount of people who need to see you can't see you, so that is wasting no time," the President noted recently on his 79th birthday.
"As for my age, I see my colleagues are now taking a break, and I guarantee you that I am looking forward to the following 17 months when I will be less busy.
"Age is catching up with me, and working six to eight hours a day is no joke. Every week, questions of executive council memoranda from as many states as possible will be discussed. So, it's a lot of work, but I asked for it, and I can't say I'm complaining", the statement read.
The President further stated that no one accused of corruption will be exempt from prosecution even if they join his party, the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Many Nigerians believe that opposition leaders who have been accused of or are on trial for corruption have joined the APC to avoid punishment.
Ex-Aviation Minister Femi Fani-Kayode and Senator Stella Oduah are among the lawmakers accused of corruption who have joined the ruling party. However, the President stated that joining the APC does not free someone accused of wrongdoing.
President Buhari went on to remark that while corruption is a persistent problem in poor countries like Nigeria, he advised people to live within their means, claiming that the more people who desire to live beyond their means, the more corruption will remain.
He stated that he did not consent to the Electoral Act Amendment Bill because he wanted people to have the freedom to make their own decisions.
According to him, the direct, indirect, and consensus channels must all be presented to the public without any harassment or intimidation from 'powerful' individuals.
"People should be able to make their own decisions. Direct, indirect, and consensus are the three options. The most important thing is to show Nigerians that we respect them wherever they are, that they are the ones who determine what to do and who to vote for, and that we will not allow anyone to assemble an army of thugs to scare them.
"This is our goal, and we hope it is recognized; we will not allow anyone, no matter how powerful, to intimidate us. Those who seek power must put in the effort."
However, he urged APC members to clean up the party ahead of the party's convention to prevent the opposition from seizing power.
"If the ruling party does not agree, the opposition will take control."
No comments:
Post a Comment