By Ahmed Idris.
President Muhammadu Buhari on Wednesday night declared that the massive reception that greeted his arrival in Kano state for a two-day working visit “is a message to the opposition’’ that his popularity in the region remains unshaken.
Speaking at a state dinner held in his honour, the President commended the government and people of the state for the reception.
“I am overwhelmed with the massive reception I have received and definitely since this is partisan politics, I think it has sent a clear message to the opposition. Even going by the details of the election results in 2003, 2007 and 2011, it was very clear that nobody could even dare to rig my scores from the elections in Kano.
“It has been so consistent and I don’t think I have the vocabulary to express my thanks to the people of Kano. I am very grateful to God and the people of Kano for the complete trust you have in me,” he said.
The President said his priorities are provision of a meaningful future for the teeming youths in the country through education and a faithful management of the economy and resources.
He commended Governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje on his development strides in the state and urged other political office holders to emulate and support the state governor, saying “he is a great politician and I am afraid I am still learning.”
The President reaffirmed that his message during his 2015 inaugural address, “I belong to everybody and I belong to nobody,’’ would continue to guide his stewardship to the Nigerian people.
“My problem is Nigeria and I have been involved in almost all the instability Nigeria experienced: the civil war, the coups, and counter-coups. That was why I said during my swearing-in that ‘I belong to everybody and I belong to nobody. Nigeria is my target and I will continue to maintain focus,” he said
