President Muhammadu Buhari on Sunday declared that he had not built a new house in Daura or anywhere.
Buhari said he hoped to live in his same house, of many years, after his tenure on May 29, 2023.
The President gave a firm indication that he would not be hanging around Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), after May 29, 2023, in order not to meddle in the affairs of the office of his successor.
He was speaking to residents of FCT led by the Minister, Mohammed Musa Bello, who paid him the traditional Christmas Day homage.
At the last Christmas Day homage with the FCT community, comprising political, traditional and religious leaders, women and youth groups as well as public servants, the President reiterated that he would return to Daura, Katsina State, his hometown, at the end of his tenure.
He explained that his decision not to make Abuja a permanent abode was to allow his successor a free hand to operate and run the affairs of government.
President Buhari also used the occasion to commend the FCT Minister, saying he retained the cabinet position for so long because of his honesty and hardwork.
The President noted that he was aware that the office of the Minister of the FCT was burdened with requests for land allocation from highly-placed Nigerians, who often disposed of their allocations for financial gains and other priorities.
He shared an anecdote of how someone close to him asked him to speak to the FCT Minster to allocate him a plot of land; he will sell it and use the money to marry another wife.
“I was overwhelmed by the priority of some people who need a plot of land not to develop it but to sell it and marry another wife.
“I don’t know how the Minister copes with such people who are extremely serious about such things. And I think about 45 per cent of those who have been given land allocation in the FCT have sold it and didn’t develop it according to the laid down criteria (master plan),” he said.
President Buhari thanked Nigerians for supporting his administration, recounting that during election campaigns in the build-up to the 2015 and 2019 elections, he had travelled the length and breadth of the country seeking their support.
In his remarks, the FCT Minister expressed delight that the Christmas homage had returned after two years suspension due to the outbreak of COVID-19.
He prayed the Almighty God to grant the President a peaceful and healthy retirement.
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