President Muhammadu Buhari has hinted that he may end up in neighbouring Republic of Niger upon leaving office.
Buhari is scheduled to complete his second term of four years in 37 days’ time.
The President is known to be partial to Niger Republic with the Kano—Niger Rail line under construction one of his administration’s signature projects.
“I spoke to one Frenchman and I have to tell you this: I said to him, you people in 1885 sat down with ruler and pencil and drew the line. I have first cousins in Niger. There are Kanuris, there are Hausas, there are Fulanis in the Niger Republic. The same way there are Yorubas in Benin,” he once said in 2021 in an interview with Arise Television.
Speaking while hosting the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Abuja community, to his ninth and last Sallah celebratio as President, at the Presidential Villa on Friday, the 80-year-old dropped his guests a hint that he may abandon Nigeria for the French colony at a time while out of office.
“I can’t wait to go home to Daura. If they make any noise to disturb me in Daura, I will leave for the Niger Republic. I deliberately arranged to be as far away as possible from you people. I have got what I have asked and will quietly retire to my home town in Daura.
“…My home town to Niger Republic is 8 kilometers.”
