President Muhammadu Buhari has given reason why 10 serving state governors lost their bids to win senatorial seats
Buhari was speaking at the Presidential Villa in Abuja on Thursday, when the newly-installed Emir of Dutse in Jigawa state, Muhammad Hamim Nuhu Sunusi paid him visit.
According to him, the sophistication of the Nigerian voter when it comes to the choice of leaders in the 2023 elections, have proved the growing strength of the country’s democracy.
Buhari observed that the failure of 10 state governors to make it to the Senate, meant that there is no longer a guaranteed route to power and the voter is truly the king when it comes to elections.
“It is a testament to the maturity of our democracy and to the amazing sophistication of the voter. What shocked me was that the ordinary citizen who is usually underrated has made the point of his political understanding of things.
“Assumption is always that you are Governor for eight years and you go to the Senate to crown the career. No one should underrate the Nigerian voter anymore. Politics will be more difficult, henceforth,” the President said.
Responding to the Emir on some requests for Jigawa State, the President promised to do his best in the remaining time left, and to brief the incoming President, Bola Tinubu on those requests, adding that the particular problem of water supply to the state capital is worrisome.
The President told the Emir and members of the Emirate Council who accompanied him that he and the entire nation will continue to miss his friend, the late Emir, Nuhu Muhammad Sunusi, saying that he will continue to pray for the repose of the deceased.
The Emir and leader of the delegation, Muhammad Hamim thanked the administration of Muhammadu Buhari for helping Jigawa State to excel in major rice production, for approving a rail link to Dutse from Kano and for the restoration of peace to the State, the entire nation and the neighbouring countries that had suffered past insecurity.
The Emir also welcomed the upgrading of the Army Battalion in Dutse to a full military Brigade and requested the President to do something about the acute water shortage affecting the State Capital.
Meanwhile, President Buhari has hosted two outgoing Ambassadors in farewell audiences during which they expressed kind words about their tour of duty in Nigeria.
His Excellency, Dr. Eustaquio Januario Quibato of the Republic of Angola thanked the President for the “wise leadership you’ve been giving to Nigeria,” for being the Champion of Anti-Corruption in Africa, and for degrading the Boko Haram insurgency group.
The outgoing Ambassador also lauded President Buhari for repositioning the Nigerian economy to be less import dependent.
President Buhari recalled the role Nigeria played in the liberation of Angola, noting that the country uses its size and resources to help sister African nations as much as possible.
He said despite the rash of military coups in some parts of the continent, “democracy is still the best option.”
In another audience, President Buhari received the outgoing Ambassador of the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Dr. Fahad Obaid Al Taffaq, saying he was quite glad that Nigeria made a good impression on him, as he stated in his remarks.
Recalling that he had been well received anytime he visited UAE, President Buhari assured that the two countries will continue to improve on their relationship, “as we have so much in common.”
Dr. Taffaq equally pledged that the two countries will continue to work “on the details of our relationship,” adding that he made lots of friends in government, the private sector, and civil society during his five-year stay.
