Buhari: Why I apologised to Nigerians after leaving office

Former President Muhammadu Buhari has disclosed the reasons behind his apology to Nigerians after leaving office on May 29, 2023.

Buhari had, in 2023, asked Nigerians hurt by his policies for a pardon.

The former president appealed to Nigerians over some of the difficult choices he made that brought pain and suffering to the citizens.

Speaking at the public presentation of books on his administration in Abuja on Tuesday, January 16, 2024, Buhari said the hard decisions he made while in office were for the development of the country.

Buhari, who noted that Nigerians were affected by his policies, however, said he had no intention to deliberately inflict pain and anguish on any citizen.

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He said: “Government is a continuum. It is like a relay race. You run your course, and hand over the baton to the next person. This we have done, and the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu administration has my support and confidence, in the quest for us to have a country of our dreams, where there is emancipation for our teeming population.

“With the cumulative achievements of government after government, I believe we will get there in no distant time.

“In our journey to the desired destination, there will be hard decisions taken, and the people will bear some costs. We can only seek their understanding, and state that there was no intention to deliberately inflict pain and anguish on anyone.

“This is why I apologised to such people at the end of our time in office. Sacrifices are still being made now and will continue to be part of our national life and development. Governments will continually seek the understanding and support of the people they lead, for our ultimate good and goal.

“Let revisionists not rejoice that they have the ultimate say in the bid to distort history. Facts and records will ultimately prove them wrong.

“When some people engage in deliberate falsehood and distortion of facts that pertain to our tenure in office, I take solace in the fact that records are there, and will remain inviolable.”

The Star