By Kolawole Ojebisi
Former president Muhammadu Buhari has said critics don’t know how arduous governing a multi-ethnic country like Nigeria is.
Buhari noted that many Nigerians easily blame leaders during or after their administrations because they don’t fully grasp the complexities of leading a nation of disparate groups like Nigeria
The immediate past president spoke at an All Progressives Congress (APC) caucus meeting held on January 25 at the Presidential Banquet Hall of Katsina State’s Government House.
He said, “Nigeria is a difficult country to govern, but most Nigerians are unaware. You will not understand the complexities of leadership and the country itself until you find yourself in the administrative position of the country,”
Buttressing his stance on how gruelling it is to be Nigeria’s helmsman Buhari stressed that he is in better health and a more relaxed state since leaving office.
He said steering the ship of state is draining and exhausting
“I look much better and healthier now than when I was the president of the country.
“Anybody that sees me now acknowledges that I look better than before,” Buhari said with a tone of relief.
The ex-president also spoke on how he has been surviving his post-presidency having been stripped of the perks of office.
He disclosed that he sustains himself through rental income from one of his two houses in Kaduna State, emphasising the importance of transparency and accountability in public office.
In his remarks delivered in Hausa, Buhari revealed that he owns only three houses: one in his hometown of Daura in Katsina State, and two in Kaduna State.
He shared that one of the Kaduna property has been rented out, and the income supports his day-to-day living expenses.
“After my eight years as a civil president, I have only three houses; one in Daura and two in Kaduna. I have given one out for renting where I get money for feeding,” he stated.
