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Nigerians praise anti-graft record as Buhari turns 75

Sunday December 17 2017
buhari

Former Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan (left) shakes hands with his successor Muhammadu Buhari after handing over power at the Eagles Square in Abuja, on May 29, 2015. FILE | NATION MEDIA GROUP

Nigerians called on President Muhammadu Buhari to continue the fight against corruption as he marked a quiet 75th birthday Sunday.

The Public Complainants Commissioner overseeing Benue State, Mr Abubakar Tsav, asked President Buhari to take the war on corruption with a hot iron.

In his congratulatory message, he advised President Buhari to “take the war on corruption with a hot iron where whoever touches it gets burnt. It should not be politicised.”

“Some of his age mates have advised him to emulate Nelson Mandela and not go in for a second tenure, while others have advised him to go in and complete his mission.

Greed and injustice

“Nigeria is ravaged by corruption, greed and injustice and only a person like President Buhari who is known for his uncompromising integrity, can salvage this country from the rot we have inherited," said Mr Tsav.

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“Age does not really matter here. After all he is not going in for a boxing or wrestling bout."

A university don, Dr Aondoakaa Asambe, urged President Buhari to seek a second term to complete his fight against corruption.

Dr Asambe said President Buhari was the only Nigerian at the moment with integrity and honesty to fight corruption head on.

A statesman

He appealed to Nigerians to vote massively for the president should he seek second term come 2019.

Former President Goodluck Jonathan described his successor as a statesman who has earned a special place in history.

“I prayed that the God Almighty that has kept you alive and healthy till now, will continue to protect and strengthen you as you lend your efforts towards the realisation of our collective dreams for a greater and more prosperous nation,’’ Mr Jonathan said.

Nigerians have been congratulating President Buhari on various social media platforms since Thursday.

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The First Lady, Aisha Buhari, led other prominent personalities in presenting birthday cards to President Buhari, marking the low-key celebration.

On his 74th birthday in 2016, President Buhari inspected a special parade mounted by the Brigade of Guards; and the ceremony coincided with his daughter’s (Zahra) wedding.

Zahra got married to Ahmed Indimi, the son of a multibillionaire oil tycoon, Mohammed Indimi.

Wisdom and grace

Senate President Bukola Saraki, in a message through his Twitter handle @BukolaSaraki, using the hashtag #PMBAt75, prayed that God may grant President Buhari wisdom to continue to run the affairs of Nigeria.

He said: “Happy Birthday Mr President! I wish you the blessings of the Almighty, and continued wisdom and grace as you celebrate another year.’’

The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Mr Yakubu Dogara, also wished the president a happy birthday using his Twitter handle @YakubDogara.

He wrote: “On behalf of the leadership & membership of @HouseNGR, I wish to join the good people of Nigeria and numerous well wishers across the globe in wishing H.E. President Muhammadu Buhari @MBuhari a happy birthday.

Went viral

“Under his leadership, Nigeria is steadily regaining its past glory, winning investors’ confidence and earning global respect and recognition. He has remained consistent in dealing with corruption, insecurity and unemployment through various reforms and interventions.

The ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), using its official handle @APCNigeria, also wished President Buhari well and called on Nigerians to accord him a warm celebration.

A video of a baby singing a birthday song for the president went viral on the social media with more retweets.

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