Buhari’s Apology to Nigerians: A Goodbye Note From His Administration

President Muhammadu Buhari has apologised to Nigerians hurt by his policies. He also took the opportunity to request pardon from those hurt by the policies of his regime. His apology comes a few days before the 29th of May presidential inaugural ceremony.

Speaking in Abuja when he hosted a controlled number of guests at the ninth and final Sallah homage held at the Presidential Villa, Abuja today, Buhari said “Those that think that I have hurt them so much, please pardon me, I think this is a very good coincidence for me to say goodbye to you and thank you for tolerating me for more than seven and a half years.”

Buhari who described himself as a lucky and fulfilled politician said, “I honestly consider myself very lucky; I was made a governor, minister of petroleum, head of state in uniform, then after three attempts, God, through technology and PVC, I became president. I think God has given me an incredible opportunity to serve as your president. And I thank God for that.”

Buhari acknowledges his shortcomings

Speaking further, the president said, “Please, whoever feels I have done wrong to them, we are all humans. There is no doubt I hurt some people and I wish you will pardon me. And those that think that I have hurt them so much, please pardon me.” 

On his retirement plans, the president hinted, “I assure you, I have deliberately arranged to be as far away from you as possible, not because I don’t appreciate the love you’ve shown to me, but because I think I’ve gotten what I have asked and I would rather quietly retire to my hometown.”

Buhari further disagreed with the narrative that justice cannot be found in courts due to nepotism and ethnic sentiments. He premised his arguments on his previous experience with the court. According to him, all Supreme Court justices in the election cases he took to the court in 2003, 2007 and 2011 were all Northern Muslims. Yet, he lost.