President Muhammadu Buhari has disclosed that his plan is to be a “big landlord” back at home, working on his farms and tending his more than 300 animals.
He made this disclosure at the State House in Abuja while receiving the outgoing United States Ambassador, Mary Beth Leonard on Tuesday.
Buhari said: “Given the chance of a free and fair election as well as non-interference as was witnessed in the February 25 and March 18 elections, Nigerians had proved to be capable of deciding who led them without anyone telling them what to do.”
He expressed satisfaction with the remarkable passion towards democracy exhibited by Nigerians through the choices they made in the 2023 general elections.
According to a statement by his spokesman, Garba Shehu, the President said Nigeria’s democracy had truly matured.
Buhari stated that he was not quite happy that some candidates lost in the election, he was However inspired by the fact that voters were able to make their own decision, to decide who won and who lost.
He commended the outgoing ambassador for the enormous achievements recorded in Nigeria-US relations in the three-and-half and expressed hope that Nigeria would continue to make progress in building a nation out of our different and competitive communities.
Earlier, Leonard had listed fuel subsidy removal among critical decisions Buhari could take before leaving office on May 29.
She said she was happy with the progress made in Nigeria-US relations in the three-and-half years, specifically citing the recent institution of a five-year visa regime between the two countries; active collaboration in security and the supply of military hardware including warplanes and the soon-to-come fighter helicopters; and also cooperation in the health sector to fight HIV and COVID response, giving assurances that US will continue to assist in the strengthening of Nigeria’s health sector.
She also expressed her gratitude and that of the US government in the continuing role of the President in ensuring regional security and strengthening of democracy as a system of government, citing his strong response against the recent surge of coups-d’état in West Africa as worthy of commendation.
