2023: I will hand over to the choice of Nigerians – Buhari

President Muhammadu Buhari says he will hand over power to whoever Nigerians chose as their next president.

Buhari stated this while responding to questions from State House journalists, after joining other Muslims to observe the Eid prayers at the Mambila Barracks Parade Ground, Abuja, in commemoration of the Eid-el-Fitr.

Fielding questions upon his return to the Presidential Villa after the prayers, President Buhari said his administration would continue to work to make the country safe for Nigerians.

Speaking on the 2023 general elections, Buhari reaffirmed the commitment of his administration to ensure a free, fair and transparent process.

Asked to speak on who he would like to hand over to as president, Buhari said “The person that Nigerians elect”.

The president also charged heads of military and other security formations in the country to rise up to their responsibilities, go after the terrorists troubling the nation and eliminate them.

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According to him, it is important to make the country safe, especially as the rains have started coming, noting that farmers must be assured of their safety as they return to the farms, thereby securing the country’s food production.

“We’ll continue to make the environment secure, especially as the rainy season is coming, so that farmers can go back to their farms and we wouldn’t have the problem of food security.

“Heads of the services; Army, Navy, Air Force, the Inspector-General of Police, are very much aware of the situation. It’s their duty to know where the terrorists are and eliminate them”, he said.

Buhari benefited from a free and fair election in 2015, under former President Goodluck Jonathan, leading to the first ever smooth transition from a ruling party – People’s Democratic Party (PDP), to the then opposition All Progressive Congress (APC).

In his message during the Eid service, the acting Chief Imam of Mambila Barracks, Dahiru Mohammed, stressed the need for genuine repentance from sin by all, love for one another, forgiveness, tolerance and constant prayers to Allah as the weapon against all adversities of life.

The Imam was also emphatic that extra efforts must be made in obeying the commandments of Allah, exercising patience at all times for his sake, as well as maintaining the competition in good deeds for humanity, nature, cooperation and brotherhood.

Special prayers were offered for an end to the various challenges bedeviling the country, peaceful 2023 elections, as well as sustainable national unity, stability, and prosperity.