Muhammadu Buhari: Late former Nigerian president in his own words

Nigerians are observing a public holiday to honour the former president Muhammadu Buhari who died on Sunday while receiving treatment at a London hospital in United Kingdom.

Buhari is due to be buried on Tuesday at his home in the northern state of Katsina, according to state officials.

Here are some of the former president’s memorable quotes, some of which raised eyebrows locally and abroad.

“I belong to everyone, no one owns me” – (2015)

Moments after being sworn in for his first term on May 29, 2015, the new president was quick to express his commitment to all citizens.

Buhari said; “I belong to everyone and no one owns me. A few people have expressed fear that if I return to power I will punish them. This fear is unfounded. I will not look back. What happened is already in the past.”

The remarks attracted a lot of domestic attention as Buhari had previously risen to power through a military coup in 1983. He served as a military ruler for 20 months

“The plight of the youth” – (2018)

On April 18, 2018, at a business conference hosted by the Commonwealth in London, Buhari made an unflattering comment on Nigerian youth.

He said; “We have a lot of youth. More than 60 percent of the population is below 30 years of age. Most of them have not been to school and they claim that Nigeria is an oil-rich country, so they will sit back and do nothing and expect the government to give them free housing, health care and education.”

The president was thought to have berated the Nigerian youth as lazy at an economic development forum. It sparked debate on social media under the hashtag #LazyNigerianYouths.

“I'm not dead, I'm still alive” – (2018)

In late 2018, rumors had circulated on Buhari’s wellbeing. Some also spoke of Buhari supposedly having a body double.

At the time, Buhari, 75, was out of the country undergoing treatment. He was expected to seek a second term in elections due in February 2019.

Addressing public concerns on his wellbeing, Buhari stated that; "Some people think I have been replaced with someone else, but it is me, I assure you of this".

He added; “Many people wished I was dead when I was sick. Some even approached the Vice-President hoping to become his deputy, because they thought I was dead.”