I don’t expect Nigerians to appreciate me after office — Buhari

Nigeria’s President Muhammadu Buhari has said that he looks forward to the end of his tenure in office as age is telling on him from working long hours every day.

President Buhari stated this in an interview with a pre-recorded Nigerian Television Authority (NTA) aired Thursday night.

The president said many of his colleagues were enjoying their retirement and that he hoped to emulate them in the next 17 months when his tenure ends.

Asked how he felt clocking 79 years recently, he said: “Yes, I think COVID-19 has come to my rescue in the sense that the amount  of people that you need to see you, can’t see you so that is losing no  time.

“And about my age, yes, I see my colleagues, they are now resting and I assure you  that I’m looking  forward to the next 17 months when i too would have to be less busy.

“The age  is telling on me, working now for 6,7,8 hours a day flight in the office is no joke. Questions of executive council memos from as many states as possible to be considered virtually every week. So, really it is a lot of hard work, but I asked for it and I cannot complain.”

President Buhari also said that he does not expect Nigerian to appreciate him when he leaves office but only for them to realize that he has done his best.

On his eagerness to handover power, he said: “Yes, because, look, as you know I have been a governor. I have been a minister and I’m in my second term as President. So, I have gone through the system. And really, what else can I do with this country?

“I have given my best and I hope after I leave Nigerians will reflect and at least not show appreciation. I’m not expecting any appreciation. But what I’m expecting is for Nigerians to say yes, this man has done his best. This is the most I’m expecting from Nigerians.  But it’s no joke. I’m telling you.

“Look at the problem we’re having in the southeast now. How many police stations were taken over, weapons missing. We closed the border with Benin, we closed the border with Niger. But we had to accept the reality that the weapons are coming from our own armories, police stations have been attacked and so on. So, the main problem  is, I hope, i will leave  a more secure Nigeria than what it is now.”

President Buhari expressed optimism that the insecurity in the country can be resolved before he leaves office as he noted that the security forces are working hard on it just as more equipment and ammunition are being procured.

He stated: “Yes, the government is capable and  is going to do it because members of the security, the armed forces and others, they are all security depends on one Nigeria.

“So no matter, when people are selfish, is their self first. So, even for their own selves, they better stabilize  Nigeria and I believe they will do it.

“I know we’re short on resources. For example, dealing with the militants, if people bother to reflect on how we found the northeast and south-south and how much progress we have made and acquiring some helicopters, aircrafts, their maintenance, their ammunition, armored cars, you know to counter effectively, the bandits. They cost money and they cost time for training and adaptation.”

President Buhari rejected the notion that corrupt politicians defect to the ruling All Progressive Congress (APC) to escape punishment, noting that as far as he is concerned such defections have not stopped his government’s insistence on accountability.

He explained: “I don’t like to accept to that joining our party will check our insistence on accountability. We are very serious about people who aspire to lead at whatever level by their performance, by their integrity both  professional and personal.

“But the problem  is that we have to work within the system. Even if you suspect individuals, unless there is  evidence, there isn’t  much we can do. So, really, it  is the system that makes it possible for some people really to even be corrupt.”

When pressed on whether the defectors will not be allowed to go free, he said: “They can’t. Nobody can go scot free as far as I’m concerned.

“Imagine what  the opposition could do to me if there is  something along my record, a lot  of  confusion could have been caused.

“But luckily I think we try to find officers with integrity and that is the best thing for Nigeria leadership at all levels. Behave with integrity.  If that is done, we will achieve better results. If that is not done, a lot of time will be wasted in talking, quarreling and a lot of noise.”