President Muhammadu Buhari on Friday appealed to Nigerians he may have hurt one way or the other in the course of his nearly eight years in office to pardon him.
The President, who also used the occasion to reflect on his trajectory serving as military Head of State to an elected president said he believed Sallah celebration was a good occasion to say goodbye and to “thank you for tolerating me for eight years.”
He told his visitors that he is from the extreme corner of Nigeria, Daura in Katsina State, which he said is just eight kilometers from Niger Republic.
“I am counting the days. Democracy is a good thing otherwise how can somebody from the other side be a president for two terms? My hometown to Niger Republic is eight kilometres.
“Having been a governor, minister and the president twice, I think God has given me an incredible opportunity to serve as your president. And I thank God for that.
“So, please, whoever feels I have done wrong to them, we are all humans. There is no doubt I hurt some people and I wish you will pardon me. And those that think that I have hurt them so much, please, pardon me.”
President Buhari was also emphatic that his will hand over power to a new administration on May 29.
Vice President Yemi Osinbajo was among the top government officials president at the occasion.