President Muhammadu Buhari on Friday said that his journey to politics and even as a military officer has been tortuous and challenging, saying, he has suffered in his efforts to serve the country.
He advised Nigerians to shun politics of sectionalism and individualism so as to make the country great, stressing that Nigeria is blessed with enormous resources scattered in all parts of the country.
He also said that he started and completed the Ramadan fast despite the apprehension in some quarters as a result of his health condition, enthusing that he was feeling healthier and more determined to steer the ship of the country.
The President said he was working hard for the collective interest of the country and that enough had been invested into the country to ensure it remained one entity.
He said, ‘I am very pleased that we are working very hard collectively as Nigerians and that God in his infinite mercy who knows what is in the heart and not by mouth, will continue to guide us so that we accommodate each other at all times. This country is blessed on human and material resources.”
President Buhari who expressed joy over the turnout of Abuja residents to pay him homage noted with dismay that the nation’s resources in the past 16 years had not been managed well by previous administrations.
According to him, “What we realized between 1999-2013 as I have always said we have never realized it. It is on record that we were producing 2.2 million barrels per day on the average, at the cost of $100 per barrel.
“It went up to $143 per barrel and then I think it stabilized between $80 and $90, Nigeria has never received so much money and we thank God that we have survived the crisis in no time.
“It is amazing that we are here because we tried four times, we ended up three times at the Supreme Court and it is no joke. I have suffered for this constituency just like I suffered in the Military. I walked from the northernl border to the sea virtually on foot, because every culvert and bridge were blown up, so we had to walk and carry our luggage.
“I think we have invested so much in this country and we will continue to pray that we stay together and let us develop the necessary confidence, work together as a people, this country is great. Let us work together so that we can save a lot more and exploit more of the resources that were abandoned so many years ago.
