Former President Muhammadu Buhari says he left the presidency with the same physical assets he had before taking office on May 29, 2015.
According to a statement issued by Garba Shehu, his media aide, Buhari spoke during a meeting with members of the Progressive Governors’ Forum (PGF) at his Kaduna residence.
He said state governors should adopt a citizen-centred approach to governance and place the needs of the people at the heart of their policies and programmes.
He said leadership must strike a balance between addressing challenges and harnessing opportunities to drive national development.
“Leadership presents both challenge and opportunity,” the former president said.
He told the governors to put the welfare of the people above personal interests.
The former president expressed confidence in the progress being made by governors elected on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Buhari thanked the governors for their visit, acknowledging that while he had worked with many of them, some were new to him.
He also expressed appreciation for the renovation of his Kaduna residence by the administration of President Bola Tinubu.
Hope Uzodimma, the governor of Imo and chairman of the PGF, conveyed the governors’ gratitude and respect to Buhari for his invaluable contributions to Nigeria’s democracy and the APC.
He praised Buhari’s role in the founding of the APC, adding that the former president’s legacy continues to shape the party’s identity and direction.
“Many of us recall with pride the principled role you played in the founding of APC. That legacy continues to shape our party’s identity direction,” Uzodimma said.
“We are especially gratified to hear your public affirmation, only a few weeks ago, that APC remains your party of choice. That declaration could not have come at a better time.”
Uzodimma also acknowledged Buhari’s historic role in Nigerian politics, describing him as the only opposition candidate to have defeated an incumbent president.
The Imo governor expressed confidence in the APC’s continued growth under President Tinubu, whom he described as bold, reform-driven, and committed to progress.
