On Sunday, President Muhammadu Buhari made it clear that, in order to avoid meddling in the operations of his successor's office, he will not continue to hang around in Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), until May 29, 2023.
The President was addressing to FCT people who had gathered to honour him on Christmas Day, led by Minister Mohammed Musa Bello.
The President reaffirmed that he will travel to Daura, Katsina State, his hometown, at the conclusion of his term at the final Christmas Day tribute with the FCT community, which included political, traditional, and religious leaders, women's and youth groups, as well as public personnel.
He added that he chose not to make Abuja his permanent residence in order to give his successor the freedom to manage and conduct government business.
The President also stated that he has not constructed a new home anywhere, including Daura, and that he intends to continue living in the same house that he has had for a long time.
President Buhari also used the opportunity to praise the FCT Minister, adding that it was due to his honesty and diligence that he had held the cabinet position for so long.
The President stated that he is aware that the office of the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) is overburdened with requests for land allocation from prominent Nigerians, who frequently use their allocations for financial gain and other agendas.
He related a personal experience of how someone close to him requested that he speak with the FCT Minister to request a parcel of land, which he would later sell and use to wed a new bride.
‘‘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).’’
President Buhari thanked Nigerians for supporting his administration, recounting that during electioneering 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 of suspension due to the outbreak of COVID-19.
He prayed to God Almighty to grant the President a peaceful and healthy retirement.
The Vice Chairman, Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), FCT, Rev’d Stephen Panyan, commended the President for doing his best for the country and prayed that he will bequeath a legacy of fairness, justice, inclusiveness and management of diversity to Nigeria.
Speaking on behalf of CAN National President, Archbishop Daniel Okoh, the religious leader reassured the President of the support of the Christian community to all his programmes to bring progress and prosperity to Nigeria.
‘‘At the twilight of your administration, we want to reassure you that the Christian community will continue to fully support you and pray that God will bless your efforts and that your desire to see the alleviation of the suffering of the citizens of this nation will begin to yield fruit.
‘‘May the Lord bless your work and see to the manifestation of your very noble desires,’’ the CAN leader prayed.
Stressing that the Christian community has not given up hope on Nigeria, Panyan encouraged the President to continue to do his utmost best for the country and citizens ‘‘he loves so much’’ while trusting God for divine intervention.
Chairman of the Senate Committee on FCT and Senator representing Kogi West, Smart Adeyemi, declared that the nation’s capital has enjoyed religious harmony in the last seven and half years because of the good leadership of President Buhari.
He also lauded the President’s record on press freedom, freedom of expression and human rights.
He noted that in the midst of a barrage of criticisms of this administration, the President has never ordered the arrest, incarceration or harassment of any journalist or political opponent.
Adeyemi appealed to the President to use his good offices to ensure fairness and equity in the process of electing the next Governor of Kogi State, as witnessed in the presidential primaries of the All Progressives Congress (APC) that produced Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu as a candidate and Senator Kashim Shettima as running mate.