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President Muhammadu Buhari has described the claim that he was dead and his supposed body double, ‘Jibril Aminu from Sudan’ was the one occupying the presidential villa in Aso Rock, as a joke that was not funny.
Buhari said this in a documentary shown Friday night at a private dinner organised by his family and very closed associates, to celebrate his 80th birthday tagged “Celebrating A Patriot, a Leader, an Elder Statesman”.
According to him, some Nigerians have a way of creating humour to feast on something they do not understand.
He said the rumour was the work of some mischief makers to demonstrate their cheekiness.
Asked by the interviewer if he heard about the crazy rumour a while back that he was not Buhari, he replied smiling, “Yes! People said I am somebody from Sudan. I didn’t bother with the name. Nigerians have mischievous ways of explaining themselves.”
Asked how he finds such things funny, the President said: “No. Is not funny because those who made those statement, they just want to be cheeky. They want to distract attention from the main issue.
“Our main issue is to do the infrastructure, make people aware that they need to work hard to live well. They just want to enjoy life without earning the respect of their community and so on.”
Buhari also said he will not miss Aso Rock much because he is being harassed and that his efforts to make the country better is not good enough and appreciated by some people.
Asked what he will miss about the presidency when he leaves, Buhari said: “I wonder if I am going to miss much. I think I’m being harassed. I believe I’m trying my best but still my best is not good enough. Because there are people around that think that they can intimidate me to get what they want instead of going through certain systems to earn whatever they want to earn. And they are some people who want to be clever by half.”
President Buhari revealed that he lost two of his children by his late wife to sickle cell anemia and that was why when he wanted to remarry, he insisted the second wife must be AA genotype, so that his children will not inherit the S from his AS genotype.
Vice President, Yemi Osinbajo, while proposing a toast for the celebrant, described him as a forthright, good and kind man, as well as an exemplary leader.
He also noted that the president would make a very good entertainer in retirement because of his wackiest sense of humour.
The VP recalled how the president used jokes to calm him down and rescind his decision to submit a letter to the Economic and Financial Crime Commission (EFCC), to investigate allegations of corruption leveled against him.
“Mr. President is a very humorous man and I think he would make a very good career in entertainment one way or the other when he retires.”
The APC flag bearer who was in attendance with his running mate, Kashim Shettima, said: “The leadership you have demonstrated reminded me of the speech you gave at the Primary Convention when you won the nomination. You thanked the people with all humility and said even if you had the money, you would not have paid. But that is because, they know who you are, a man of integrity, great commitment, transparent and a exceptional humility.”
Tinubu prayed that “God will continue spare you to see the history as you want it for the country, the ship of this nation will be on the right course. You will live long to enjoy a nice evening of democracy that you brought about.”
The President’s eldest daughter, Fatima Buhari, who spoke on behalf of her siblings and the entire family, used the occasion to thank her father for investing in their future by giving them the needed training and care for their wellbeing.
She said: “He gave us everything, love, care, good education and all. He is blessed 10 children two of whom are dead, 22 grandchildren whom he gives funny names.”
There were good will messages from traditional rulers, who all eulogized President Buhari as a man of integrity and a huge sense of humour.
Oba of Benin, Ewuare II, said the president has done a lot and the results will manifest much later after his must have left the scene.
He described him as the promoter of traditional institutions and for preventing the returned artefacts of Benin Kingdom from being relooted, when he instructed that, the artifacts must be handed to the traditional ruler directly.
Oba of Benin said, “President Buhari has done a lot for this country, for the youth and for the traditional institution, and the result will come out much later.
He is a man of Integrity and transparency. I have been interacting with him for several years.”
Emir of Kazaure described the President as Mr. Law and Order who once denied him, the opportunity to be given a generator to make his job as the secretary of the then Petroleum Trust Fund, easier in other to avoid submitting reports late because he was using candlelight to work, because as he was not entitled to one according to the law.
He said: “If you are looking for Mr law and order, you have found him in President Muhammadu Buhari.”
The Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi; (Ọjájá II) also spoke about President Buhari’s dedication and commitment to the growth of democracy.
Also present were governors of Katsina, Aminu Masari and Kebbi, Atiku Bagudu, Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha, Chief of Staff, Ibrahim Gambari and members of the cabinet, family members, captains of industry including Chairman of AriseTV and the Thisday Group, Nduka Obaigbena among others.
The highlight of the event was when the Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed, led other members of the President’s cabinet to present a giant birthday card and cut the birthday cake as they rejoiced with him on his 80th birthday.