PRESIDENT Muhammadu Buhari has again hinted at his retirement plans after exiting office on May 29.
Speaking during the inauguration of the new Customs Headquarters in Abuja on Tuesday, the Nigerian leader said he would be far away from the nation’s capital after handing over power to his successor next Monday.
“I try to plan to be as far away from Abuja as possible. I came from an area that is far away from Abuja,” Buhari stated.
The President also underscored his cordial relationship with the Niger Republic, saying the neighbouring nation would defend him when he leaves office.
According to him, if Nigerians make the country difficult to live in after the handover ceremony, Niger will defend him.
“I said these few things about my personal belief because I have only six more days to go. I said if anybody with force moves, I have a good relationship with my neighbours. Niger people will defend me,” he said.
Buhari also said he deliberately shut the country’s borders to encourage food production in Nigeria.
While the move was heavily criticised, Buhari argued that Nigerians later appreciated it.
“I deliberately closed the borders because knowing Nigerians, they order rice, give some Niger address, and then they bring the rice here,” he said at the event.
“With our land potential – we thank God Nigeria is favoured. We have people, we have land, and we have the weather. How many nations are as lucky as Nigeria in the world? Very few nations are as lucky as we are! We thank God for that,” he added.
