Kaduna too close to Abuja; I’ll return to Daura in 2023: Buhari

President Muhammadu Buhari has expressed angst about living in Kaduna after his second tenure in office ends next year.

Even though he admitted having a better house in bandits-ridden Kaduna, Mr Buhari said he preferred to return to Daura, his hometown. Katsina has not been spared by bandits either.

Giving the reason for choosing Daura over Kaduna, the president said, “In 10 to 11 months’ time, I will come here (Daura). I have a better house in Kaduna, but it is too close to Abuja.”

He stated this when he received some governors, legislators and political leaders of the All Progressives Congress (APC) at his residence in Daura, Katsina.

The visitors were in Daura to pay Sallah homage to the president.

The president told his guests that he had not been to his house in Daura for close to a year because of the demands of office.

“The observation that I abandoned my base was made by the Emir of Daura, Dr Faruk Umar Faruk, at the Eid prayer ground,” the president explained. “He held the microphone and told everyone that the last time I was in Daura was during the Eid-el-Kabir of 2021.”

The president explained that his schedule of work was so heavy that he sympathised with the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Geoffrey Onyema, who had to be away from his family most of the time.

He urged the APC stalwarts to keep working for the good of the people and that of the country.

“We are a lucky people. We need to reflect more on where we are coming from,’’ he added

Mr Buhari claimed that relative to the resources available, and compared to the preceding administration, his regime had done well in many areas, particularly in infrastructure.

“I wish the person who is coming after me the very best,” said Mr Buhari.

(NAN)