Former President Muhammadu Buhari has called on political leaders to place the welfare of the people above personal interests, emphasizing the need for a citizen-centered approach to governance. Buhari made this statement during a courtesy visit by governors elected on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC) at his residence in Kaduna.
Reflecting on his time in office, the former president stated that he left the presidency with the same personal assets he had before assuming leadership, underscoring his principle of integrity in public service. He described leadership as both a challenge and an opportunity, advising the governors to find a balance between the two in order to drive meaningful national progress.
Commending the ongoing efforts of the Progressive Governors Forum (PGF), Buhari expressed his confidence in their work and encouraged them to remain dedicated to advancing the nation. He also appreciated the Bola Tinubu administration for renovating his Kaduna home, noting that while the external appearance of the building remained unchanged, significant improvements had been made to its interior.
Buhari thanked the governors for their visit and shared his familiarity with some of them from his time in office, while acknowledging others were new to him.
In his remarks, Chairman of the Progressive Governors Forum and Imo State Governor, Hope Uzodimma, said the visit was to pay homage to the former president during the Eid-el-Fitr celebration and to express deep appreciation for his lasting contributions to Nigerian democracy and the development of the APC.
According to a statement issued by Buhari’s former media aide, Mallam Garba Shehu, Uzodimma praised Buhari’s instrumental role in the formation of the APC, which he said continues to shape the identity and direction of the party. He noted that Buhari’s recent public affirmation of the APC as his party of choice came at a crucial time, further solidifying his role as a foundational pillar of the movement.
Uzodimma lauded Buhari’s historic 2015 electoral victory, where he became the first opposition candidate in Nigeria to unseat an incumbent president. He commended Buhari’s calm and principled leadership, highlighting his dignified handover of power to another APC administration as a remarkable democratic milestone.
Reflecting on Buhari’s tenure, the governor cited significant achievements in national security, economic recovery, anti-corruption, infrastructure development, and social welfare. He mentioned key initiatives such as the Conditional Cash Transfer, School Feeding Program, and Anchor Borrowers Scheme as evidence of the former president’s commitment to national development and food security.
“You taught us to produce what we eat and eat what we produce,” Uzodimma stated, praising Buhari for instilling dignity in governance and strengthening the progressive values of the party.
He concluded by recognizing President Tinubu’s current administration as bold, reform-oriented, and committed to continuity and progress, acknowledging Buhari’s public endorsement of Tinubu as a symbol of unity and humility. Uzodimma appealed to the former president to continue offering his guidance to the party and its leaders, as they work to entrench progressive politics and ensure the APC remains in power for a more prosperous Nigeria.
