Buhari To Abuja Residents: I’ll Protect You Despite Voting Atiku

President Muhammadu Buhari has jocularly told the residents of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, that despite not voting for him during the last presidential elections, he owes them the responsibility of securing the territory.

Describing Abuja residents as “a necessary evil,” President Buhari said he would not do anything to hurt them despite voting for the opposition for Peoples Democratic Party’s  Atiku Abubakar  in the February 23 presidential election.

During the polls, the President got 152,224 votes in the FCT, while his closest rival, Atiku, scored 259,997 votes in the federal capital.

Buhari made the statement on Tuesday while receiving a delegation of National Assembly members, religious leaders, heads of security agencies and civil servants, who were led by the Federal Capital Development Authority’s Permanent Secretary, Christian Ohaa, at the State House

Buhari told the delegation that his vice, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, was deserving of praise for remaining a reliable hand through thick and thin.

“I want to appreciate the number two man of the country because he knows what we are going through very quietly. I am very pleased that you came with this very powerful constituency.

“I appeal to you to remain exemplary so that those under you will know that the country is doing very well. If you break down and complain, the impact will reverberate all over and then government will not be popular and whatever efforts we are making will not be appreciated.

“I have just spoken to the Senator (Philip Aduda) on my left and I told him that his constituency did not vote for me. So, I was very pleased that when they made the arrangement, they put him very far away from me. I have all the results of all constituencies.

“I am not threatening FCT because to make FCT secure is to make myself secure and the Vice-President. I think they know that they are necessary evil, that was why they decided to vote for  the PDP.”

“During my long journey to this place, 2003, 2007, 2011, those were interesting political developments that enabled me  to visit all the local governments; all 774 local governments. First port of call whenever I visited any local government was to visit the community leader for understanding and support. I am very pleased that Nigerians understood me that although I was a governor, minister of petroleum and a one-time Head of State, I didn’t have a lot of money to give. So, when I went round, I smiled and greeted them and I think it has helped. Because by the time I went to campaign for my second and last terms constitutionally, I visited all the states this time round, sometimes two states in a day; I thank God for giving me the stamina to do it.”

In his remarks, Osinbajo commended Buhari’s steadfastness during the Ramadan fast.

“I want to say that God Almighty has been extremely good to you and to our government. I recall about two years ago when I had to host this particular event because you were away on medical leave at the time,” said the Vice President.

“But God has been so good, not only did He bring you back healthier than when you left, but has also been gracious enough for you to have a second opportunity to lead our great country. I thank the Almighty God for you and  for all of us who have been a part of your government and who have been a part of what God has done in our midst.”