President Muhammadu Buhari said that majority of Nigerians understand and sympathise with him despite calling him ‘Baba Go Slow’.
He stated this when he received residents of the Federal Capital Territory led by the Minister, Muhammad Bello, during the traditional Christmas Day homage at The presidential Villa, Abuja.
Buhari said he will uphold the 1999 Constitution (as amended) in pursuing the policies of his regime “whether you call me Baba Go Slow or not”
The president said his administration would focus on the provision of infrastructure, especially roads, power and railway transport, notwithstanding any criticisms it had faced.
According to him, Nigerians will not care about who is the President or in government so long as they have good infrastructure.
‘‘This administration sincerely believes that if you get infrastructure right, most Nigerians will mind their own business. They may not even care who is in government.
‘‘But when you deny them infrastructure, then there is nothing they can do.”
He thanked Nigerians for voting him into office twice, saying it was proof they sympathised with him.
“But I can assure you that I thank Nigerians very much from the bottom of my heart.
‘‘When I travelled to all the 36 states before the elections, what I personally observed and the number of Nigerians that turned up in every state to see and listen to me, were more than what anybody can pay or force.
‘‘What I saw made me believe that the majority of Nigerians understand and sympathise with me.
“I swore to hold this office by the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, whether you call me Baba Go Slow or not.
“I will be diligent in serving this country dutifully.”
Buhari thank God for a very successful year, saying its relative to the composition of this country, both politically and ethnically.