The President of Nigeria, Muhammadu Buhari has restated his earlier assertion that he had served Nigeria and Nigerians to the best of his ability, declaring that he had not disappointed anyone contrary to widely held conceptions.
Speaking in Bauchi in continuation of the All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential and gubernatorial campaign rallies, President Buhari made the assertions when he spoke during his courtesy call on the Emir of Bauchi, His Royal Highness Dr. Rilwanu Suleiman Adamu.
The President acknowledged the reception accorded him and the continued show of love by Nigerians, stressing that the huge crowd that welcomed him wherever he went was a demonstration of genuine love and loyalty.
He said, ‘I normally call on emirs and chiefs, whether on political or personal tours to states to show my gratitude.
‘I like to mention that between 2003 and 2011, I visited all the local governments, and in 2019, when I was seeking my re-election for a second term, I visited all the states.
‘And the people that turned out to see me were more than what anyone could buy or force and there I made a promise and pledge that I will serve Nigeria and Nigerians to the best of my ability.
‘And so far, I have not disappointed anybody.’
Earlier in his welcome address, the Emir of Bauchi remarked that it is delightful when political leaders in modern state system honour the traditional institutions with a courtesy call.
This, the Emir noted, was a practical demonstration of love and respect to the traditional institutions.
He thanked President Buhari for the landmark developments which his administration had brought to Bauchi State, declaring that the Kolmani Integrated Project remained a legacy for which Bauchi State and indeed the North-East remained grateful.
‘We cannot thank you enough and we follow the example of our governor to express our greatest gratitude.
‘We are also pleased that you have kept your promise of reforming the electoral processes through continuous and progressive reforms and by ensuring the independence of the electoral body, of which our son, Professor Mahmood Yakubu, is the current head,’ the Emir stated.
‘Your determination in this and other areas of governance has been an inspiration to all right-thinking people across the country,’ added the Emir.
The President, thereafter, proceeded to the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa Stadium, in continuation of the APC campaigns where a mammoth crowd awaited him and his entourage.
He then presented the party’s presidential flagbearer, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu and his Vice, Senator Kashim Shettima, to the electorate.
Present were the Senate President, Dr Ahmad Lawan; Speaker, House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila; the APC National Chairman, Senator Abdullahi Adamu; Governors of Kebbi, Plateau, Borno, Yobe, and Jigawa States.
The APC gubernatorial candidate in Bauchi State, Air Marshal Sadique Baba Abubakar (Rtd) as well as other party stalwarts, were also present.