Nigerian President Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, on Tuesday, hailed his predecessor, the immediate past President Muhammadu Buhari, for distancing and not imposing himself on his government since he handed over on May 29, 2023.
The president, while commending Buhari’s action, stated that the former head of state has not nominated anyone for appointment in his cabinet or interfered in any means after leaving office.
Tinubu said this in Abuja during the launching of books written by Buhari’s former media aide, Femi Adesina.
The two books are titled: “Working with Buhari (2015 – 2023)” and “Muhammadu Buhari: The Nigerian Legacy – 2015 – 2023 (Vols 1-5).
He disclosed that his predecessor had told him that he would distance himself from the country’s affairs but would answer if called upon.
“After handing over, you (Buhari) said, ‘I will be far away in Daura, but if you need me, contact me. I won’t intrude on whatever you are doing. I won’t interfere. I won’t breathe down on your throat,’” Tinubu said.
Shola Oshunkeye, a former CNN Journalist of the Year, reviewed the book “Working with Buhari” by Adesina.
In the same manner, the book “Muhammadu Buhari: The Nigerian Legacy – 2015 – 2023 (Vols 1-5) was reviewed by the Director General of the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs, Professor Eghosa Osaghae, and a Professor of Political Science, Kabiru Mayo, and edited by Dr Udu Yakubu.
Speaking about his predecessor, Tinubu said rather than poke nosing, Buhari has collaborated with him to make democracy thrive in the country.
“We’ve partnered to make democracy flourish in Nigeria, thank you.
“Except when I call him (on the phone) to say, ‘Are you living, are you going to the farm?’, you don’t hear from him (Buhari) either to nominate or intrude in the cabinet or complain about issues. Thank you for being who you are,” the President said.
