Juliana Taiwo-Obalonye, Abuja
President Muhammadu Buhari has declared that he would love to be remembered as a leader who kept his word that elections in Nigeria must be free, fair and credible.
Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu, in a statement, said Buhari made the declaration when he had an audience with Governor Aminu, Bello Masari, of Katsina State, who came to formally inform him of his re-election after last Saturday’s governorship poll.
While commending Nigerians who heeded to his pre-election appeals to cast their votes peacefully, Buhari said the governorship and State Assembly elections across the country were largely successful.
According to him, “I have maintained a position that elections must be free and fair and people have the right to make their choices and vote their consciences. I am happy they understood the message and did just that.
“Power is a public trust that belongs to the people. Power is not by strength or wisdom but by Providence. Elected persons must be fair and just. This is the legacy I want to leave behind. A leader must be fair and just. All leaders should strive to do that.”
In his remarks, Masari, who was accompanied by officials of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Katsina State, thanked the president and the party for the support which led to his decisive victory on March 9.
He pledged to work for the good of the people of Katsina State, in line with the vision of the ‘Next Level’ government at the centre.