In a chat at the Presidential Villa on Tuesday while marking his 77 birthday, President President Muhammadu Buhari decries the present system which makes anti-corruption fight too slow for his liking .Excerpts:
At 77, how do you feel ?
Well I think I feel well at 77. A lot of those at 77 are on crutches and I am walking on my two feet.
What is the secret, you look stronger, more agile?
I think I come to accept the realities of leadership in Nigeria, you can only try, it is a terrific country, no matter what you do, there are people on daily basis that look for your faults and go to the press, so you have to learn to live by that.
What is your birthday gift to Nigerians?
Patience and patriotism, that is what we see as rule, nobody can have his own way, we better accept the truth that we are one Nigerians, we keep on building. God has blessed us with land and people and resources. We must have the patience to exploit them and leave something for our future generations.
What assurance are you giving to Nigerians as you execute your mandate?
What I want to promise Nigerians that I will work very hard on is free and fair election. All those that are going to succeed in the National Assembly and the Presidency, they better work very hard because I will make sure, using the law enforcement agencies that elections are free and fair, nobody uses his office or his resources to force himself on his constituency
What can you tell the corrupt elements in Nigeria and economic saboteurs?
Well, like I said, I have learned in the hard way. When I came in uniform, I collected those who were leading, took them to Kirikiri and told them they were guilty until they could prove themselves innocent. I (set up in) almost all the geopolitical zones committees to investigate them. Those that were found to have lived beyond their means, the balance was taken and were given to the states. But I myself was arrested, detained and they were given back what they (had) stolen. So under this system which is supposed to be more accountable, .. it is too slow for my liking, but I have to follow it.
