President Muhammadu Buhari said that the claim that he was dead and that “Jibril Aminu from Sudan” was living in the presidential house in Aso Rock was an expensive but funny joke.
In a video that was aired on Friday night as part of a private dinner celebrating Buhari’s 80th birthday and themed “Celebrating a Patriot, a Leader, an elder statesman,” the president responded to the accusation.
The President claimed that some Nigerians are adept at making humor out of things they do not grasp or understand.
He claimed that some troublemakers spread the rumor to show off their cheek.
When the journalist asked him if he had heard the ridiculous rumor that he wasn’t Buhari, he grinned and replied, “Yes!People have claimed that I am from Sudan. I didn’t give the name any thought. Nigerians like to explain themselves in sneaky ways.
When asked why he thinks them hilarious, the President responded, “No. Because the people who made those things were only trying to be cheeky, it’s not funny. They seek to deflect focus away from the crucial matter.
“Our biggest concern is building the infrastructure and educating people about the necessity to work hard if they want to live comfortably. Without winning the respect of their community or anything else, they simply want to enjoy life.
Buhari also said that he will not miss Aso Rock all that much because he is being harassed and that not everyone is appreciative of his attempts to improve the nation.
I wonder if I’m going to miss much, said Buhari. I feel like I’m being bullied. Although I think I’m giving it my all, my efforts are insufficient. Because there are others nearby who believe they can frighten me into giving them what they want rather than using certain procedures to achieve whatever they want to obtain. And there are other folks who only wish to appear intelligent.
President Buhari said that two of his children from his late wife died of sickle cell anemia. This is why, when he wanted to remarry, he insisted that his second wife be an AA genotype, so that his children wouldn’t get the S from his AS genotype.
Vice President Yemi Osinbajo proposed a toast to the honoree and said that he was a direct, good, and compassionate man who was also an excellent leader.
