President Bola Tinubu praised former President Muhammadu Buhari for courageously assuming office in 2015 during a crucial time when terrorism was at its peak in the country.
Speaking as the chief guest at the launch of Femi Adesina’s book, Working with Buhari: Reflections of a Special Adviser on Media and Publicity (2015–2023)” by Femi Adesina, said he inherited the job of securing every inch of the country, which is yet to be finished.
Tinubu expressed determination to ensure his government eradicates the remnants of Boko Haram, Ansaru, as well as banditry and kidnapping gangs adding that “we won’t rest until every agent of darkness is completely rooted out.”
The President acknowledged inheriting substantial liabilities from his predecessor but affirmed his commitment to addressing them, including the completion of the Abuja-Kaduna-Kano Expressway
Portraying the demanding nature of governance, Tinubu emphasized that President Buhari took office during a challenging period in our national life, characterized by an economic recession and the occupation of significant territories in the North East by Boko Haram.
According to him, there was a moment when it even seemed that Abuja, the seat of government, might fall into the hands of Boko Haram, given the bombings at the UN Building, Banex Plaza, Nyanya, and other locations within the Federal Capital Territory
He said: “We cannot easily forget how our armed forces battled the Boko Haram terrorists under the leadership of President Buhari to reclaim our territory and push them to the fringes of Lake Chad, where they no longer pose an existential threat to our sovereignty.
“I must say the job of securing every inch of our country is yet to be finished. My government will stamp out the remaining vestiges of Boko Haram, Ansaru, banditry and kidnapping gangs. We won’t rest until every agent of darkness is completely rooted out.”
Speaking further at the well-attended book launch, with Alhaji Mohammed Indimi as the chief launcher, former Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, and former ministers who served under Buhari’s government, Tinubu said he was extremely happy to receive his predecessor in Abuja.
His words: “We are all here today to honour a great man, a patriot, and a dedicated public servant who offered his best in the service of our country since he joined the army in 1962 at age 18.
“President Buhari served our country with dedication and uncommon zeal. First, as a military officer who offered unblemished service, manning important commands and political positions, and crowning it as military Head of State on January 1, 1984; second, as a politician who ran four times for the highest office until he was elected President in 2015
He said that history will be generous to ex-President Buhari for his role in advancing the local production of goods to stimulate economic growth.
“It will be said glowingly of President Buhari that in his eight turbulent years, marked by an acute shortage of revenue, the Covid-19 pandemic that shut down the global economy for almost two years, his administration embarked on the most ambitious infrastructural renewal for the country.
“President Buhari gave us the second Niger Bridge. He revamped the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway. He gave us the Lagos-Ibadan and Warri-Itakpe rail lines. He completed the Abuja-Kaduna rail line and the Lekki Seaport. He built brand new airports, among many other landmark economic projects. The Abuja-Kaduna-Kano Expressway, which he started, will be completed by my administration, by the grace of God
“Whatever challenges faced by President Buhari in his eight years that remain unresolved, our administration will endeavor to resolve them. As I said during the campaigns, I inherited all his assets and liabilities,” Tinubu stated.
He reaffirmed his commitment, pledging that his administration will persist from where President Buhari stopped, “to make our country better, create a vibrant economy and secure the environment to bring more prosperity to our people.”
Kanyi Daily recalls that Former Director General of the Progressive Governors Forum (PGF), Dr. Salihu Lukman, had sheds light on Bola Tinubu’s seamless emergence as the All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential candidate for the 2023 elections.