Nigeria’s President Muhammadu Buhari says he is being harassed despite trying his best to make Nigeria better.
He, however, admitted that he believes his best has not been good enough for the country.
“I think I’m being harassed. I believe I’m trying my best but still, my best is not good enough,” Mr Buhari said in a documentary shown Friday night at a private dinner in Abuja organised by his family and associates to celebrate his 80th birthday.
The event was tagged “Celebrating A Patriot, a Leader, an Elder Statesman.”
Mr Buhari also wondered if he would not miss the office of the president much when he leaves office.
“I wonder if I am going to miss much,” he said when asked about the topic.
The president, who assumed office in 2015 after three previous attempts at the presidency, has repeatedly said he would not only do his best for Nigeria but was anxious to retire to his hometown at the end of his second term in May 2023.
In December 2021, Mr Buhari, during a bilateral meeting with his Turkish counterpart in Istanbul, Recep Erdogan, said he would do his best for the advancement of his country and the citizens before the end of his tenure.
“I look forward to the year 2023 when I finish, go home to take charge of my farm. Between now and that time, I will do my best to advance the interest of the nation and its people, and carry out my duties as prescribed by the Constitution,” the president said.
In July this year, Mr Buhari told some governors and political leaders who paid him Sallah homage that he was eager to retire to Daura and not to Kaduna because, according to him, the latter was too close to Abuja.
“I am eager to go. I can tell you it has been tough. I am grateful to God that people appreciate the personal sacrifices we have been making,” he said
Mr Buhari, a member of the All Progressives Congress (APC), also said at the forum that he had done his best, notably in the area of infrastructure, relative to the resources available, and compared to the previous administration.
He went on to “wish the person who is coming after me the very best.”
The president came to power in 2015 on the plank of three major promises, namely to tackle corruption, improve on the economy and secure the country.
While many Nigerians believe that the president has not fulfilled his election promises seven and half years after he assumed office, some of those present at the dinner on Friday night praised him for accomplishing much for Nigeria.
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Bola Tinubu, presidential candidate of the president’s party (APC), said Mr Buhari sacrificed a lot for the country.
“You have been at the helm of the affairs of this country at a critical time. We have seen a life of commitment, dedication, patriotism and honesty. Mr President, you have done well for your country. Our nation has seen the difference, the leadership that you demonstrate,” Mr Tinubu said.