President Bola TinubuOn Tuesday, he said that his predecessor, Muhammadu Buhari, has not called on him to interfere in the functioning of his administration since he (Buhari) left office on May 29, 2023.
President Tinubu also said that the former president has not nominated anyone for a position in his government.
He stated this at the public launch of a book written by Mr Buhari’s former Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina, in Abuja.
The book titled “Working with Buhari” was written by Adesina about the former president’s eight years in office between 2015 and 2023.
President Tinubu said Buhari has kept his promise he repeatedly made that he would stay away in his hometown, Daura, and not interfere in the running of the country’s affairs.
“Let me thank the organizers of today’s book launch for providing me with the opportunity and environment to meet my predecessor, former President Muhammadu Buhari, since he left office on May 29, 2023.
“After handing me over, you said I will be far away in Daura but if you need me, contact me. But I won’t interfere with whatever you’re doing. I will not interfere or breathe down your throat.
“We have partnered to make democracy flourish in Nigeria. President Muhammadu Buhari, thank you. Except when I call you to tell you how you live, how you are on the farm, we don’t hear from you either to nominate or to meddle in the cabinet or to complain about anything. Thank you for being who you are, a civic-minded person…” he said.
The president said Buhari left him many battles and plenty of tasks for continuity, adding that he “inherited the assets and liabilities of his predecessor.”
President Tinubu commended Mr Buhari for his dedication and rare display of zeal while presiding over the country.
“They serve our country with uncommon dedication and zeal. I was talking to someone last night about me being at the book launch and he said, Oh, I remember you sold us to Buhari. And I said, stop where she is, I’m not talking about a disclaimer. I tell you about a program that I really appreciated and will continue to appreciate,” she said.
He also praised Mr. Adesina for writing the book, saying: “The author of the book could have done everything possible. But what Nigeria will gain from the book is what history must do and that history is in the book. And I am glad that the story has been reproduced, reintroduced and is part of the curriculum in several schools and is emphasized. I promise you.”
Among those attending the event were former Head of State, Yakubu Gowon, and former Vice President, Yemi Osinbajo.
Read President Tinubu’s full speech.
Welcome to Abuja. Since you passed the baton to me, I’ve seen many of your jokes and I’ve realized that it’s not just a walk in the park.
Distinguished ladies and gentlemen, It is a very, very beautiful day.
Let me thank the organizers of today’s book launch for providing me with the opportunity and environment to meet my predecessor, former President Muhammadu Buhari since he left office on May 29, 2023.
After handing me over, you said I will be far away in Daura but if you need me, contact me. But I won’t interfere with whatever you’re doing. I will not interfere or breathe down your throat.
We have partnered to make democracy flourish in Nigeria. President Muhammadu Buhari, thank you. Except when I call you to tell you how you live, how you are on the farm, we don’t hear from you either to nominate or to meddle in the cabinet or to complain about anything. Thank you for being who you are, a citizen…
When you left the office, you left me many battles and a lot of tasks for continuity. And I told people that I inherited the assets and liabilities of my predecessor, no matter what they say.
Sometimes we always joke and say that you will never be able to please Nigerians, but your thing is to concentrate, work hard and satisfy your conscience. You have done that. It reflects.
You serve our country with uncommon dedication and zeal. I was talking to someone last night about me being at the book launch and he said, Oh, I remember you sold us to Buhari. And I said, for where you are, I’m not talking about a disclaimer. I’m telling you about a program that I really appreciated and will continue to appreciate.
Being here face to face with you is a great documentation of history, candor, integrity and character.
The author of the book could have done the best he could. But what Nigeria will get from the book is what history is meant to do and that history is in the book. And I am glad that the story has been reproduced, reintroduced and is part of the curriculum in various schools and is given emphasis. I promise you.
You took office at a very difficult time in the life of our nation. The economy was entering a recession. Boko Haram had taken over many local governments and some parts of our country. It is easy to forget that the United Nations building was attacked here in Abuja.
It is easy to forget the role of the armed forces. But if the book is read carefully and taught in substantial terms in our various schools, the task of protecting every inch of our nation may not be completed, but you did a wonderful job. And we will not rest, I promise you, until every agent of darkness is completely eliminated. It’s a sovereign country.
I am glad to hear how you are committed to supporting my administration and as you are a true politician and democratic, you are still dedicated and committed to our party, the largest party in Africa.
Well, I have emulated you, one of those things is non-interference, being a democrat, the responsibility of building the nation. Staying the course, I’m determined to do it because I campaigned for this position. And you told me in our discussions that it’s not easy. But I went out dancing, I made promises, I did Kokomo, I did all the collaborations, I made music, so I can’t complain. We will be there.
Apart from passing through the Niger Bridge and other places, many would not realize how vital the interconnectivity necessary for economic growth is to the economic growth of this nation in our railway project, in our port project. A silent worker, a very organized and disciplined man. President Muhammadu Buhari, thank you.
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To many of you, I thank you for coming to this event. It has been a wonderful time for our nation. Very wonderful indeed! We are facing the roller coaster. The same battle too. We eliminated the subsidy, we stopped these people from fleecing Nigerians. Yes. I know they will complain. It’s the same everywhere. The lesson is learned from you. But the milk of goodness for the development and prosperity of a nation is not fermented in you, but is learned.
How much I appreciate the editions of this book is promoting it as a topic in the history classrooms of our universities and high schools. So, according to you, a civic issue of our nation. I wish you a very successful but not tired retirement life like a prosperous life. I know you won’t receive a single cent from the profits from the book launch, but you will still be part of the pillar of our future development.