There's A Limit To What I Can Do At 72 - Buhari

PRESIDENT Muhammadu Buhari has expressed
regrets that he did not become the president at a
younger age as there is a limit to what he can do
at the age of 72.
He made the assertion on Monday while addressing
members of the Nigerian community in
Johannesburg, South Africa, where he also vowed
that the All Progressives Congress (APC) will "kill"
corruption in the country.
The president, who recalled his times as state
governor, petroleum minister and military head of
state, also explained that he repeatedly contested
the presidency because of his belief in the
practicability of conducting free and fair election
in the country.
He expressed confidence in the unity of the
country, saying that even though there are some
'crazy' people who talk about the disintegration of
the country, the country will never break up.
Buhari stated: "How I wish I became Head of State
when I was a governor, just a few years as a young
man. Now at 72, there is a limit to what I can do.
"But what brought me there I think mainly is
because I love this country. I was in the war front
for 30 months during the civil war. I lost a lot of
loyal people to me, I lost relatives. A lot of
Nigerians did too.
"We lost about two million Nigerians just to keep
Nigeria one. So, nobody should come now and tell us
rubbish. We are going to remain one country. God
has given us another opportunity to reorganise this
country. Those who work hard, the society will pay
them back."
He said he had been told that there were 83
Nigerians in South African jails, disclosing that he
would discuss the matter with President Jacob
Zuma during his planned visit to Nigeria in the
near future.
Buhari also revealed that he would inquire from the
South African president about the whereabouts of
the $9.7 million the Goodluck Jonathan's
administration had transferred to South Africa for
the botched arms purchase.
The president added: "I refused to speak from this
draft speech because I wanted to speak to you
from the bottom of my heart. Please, keep
Nigeria's pride close to your heart, make sure you
behave yourselves. If you find yourselves here,
obey their laws. Where you don't obey their laws,
you will have to bear the consequences.
"I'm told they are 83 Nigerians in prison, I don't
know what they have done but I spoke to the
President of South Africa this afternoon. He wants
to come to Nigeria. There are issues he knows to
talk about, I will certainly talk to him.
"I hope our ambassador will send a comprehensive
report about the court cases, about those who lost
properties during the disturbances and at that
time, I will attempt to ask him about our $9.7
million which was not correctly transferred."