Yemisi Izuora
President Muhammadu Buhari has told Nigerians not not believe malicious claims by some persons who go about spreading falsehood that he is not the real Buhari.
He has therefore dismissed as wicked the cloning allegation against him, saying ‘‘It’s real me, I assure you. I will soon celebrate my 76th birthday and I will still go strong’’.
The President’s Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Malam Garba Shehu, in a statement in Abuja on Sunday, said the president said this when he responded to a question at an interactive session with the Nigerian Community in Krakow, Poland.
A Nigerian, living in Poland at the interactive session, had wanted to know if he (President Buhari) was real or the much talked about ‘‘Jubril from Sudan’’ -his supposed double.
President Buhari described the authors of the confusion about him as ‘‘ignorant and irreligious’’.
He said: ‘‘A lot of people hoped that I died during my ill health. Some even reached out to the Vice President to consider them to be his deputy because they assumed I was dead.
“That embarrassed him a lot and of course, he visited me when I was in London convalescing… It’s real me; I assure you.’’
The Nigerian leader said he was looking forward to celebrating his 76th birthday on Dec. 17 and jocularly added: ‘‘If I am getting harassed by anyone, it is my grandchildren, who are getting too many.’’
The President used the occasion to reiterate that his government would continue to maintain focus and deliver on the three focal points of his campaign in 2015: security, economy and the fight against corruption.
‘‘Those in the North East will tell you that in spite of the recent setbacks, there is a difference between the time we came and before.
‘‘We are not doing badly on security, economy and agriculture. We have virtually stopped the importation of food especially rice and we are saving a lot of money.
‘‘We now have food security and that has come with fiscal security because a lot of young educated people have not regretted going back to the farms and earning a respectable living.
‘‘I am afraid, this is not receiving good publicity… but a lot of people in the rural areas are enjoying the benefits of our interventions in agriculture,’’ he said.
President Buhari, who is in Poland to attend the UN Climate Change Conference COP24, reaffirmed that “no territory of Nigeria is under the control of Boko Haram terrorists’’.
He called on Nigerians to remain vigilant and supportive of Federal Government’s efforts to ensure the security of lives and property in the country.
While acknowledging that it had not been easy financing the security sector in the country, the president said the Nigerian Armed Forces were equal to the task.
The president noted that it was regrettable that herdsmen and farmers clashes in the country had been politicised, assuring that the Nigerian government would continue to “prioritise security because that is what many investors consider first before investing in the country.’’
On the fight against corruption, he said all recovered stolen assets would be sold and the proceeds returned to the treasury for the benefit of Nigerians.
On women representation in his government, the President told the meeting: ‘‘I have plans for all Nigerians. I am not a male chauvinist. If I’m a chauvinist will I give the Finance Ministry to women?’’
In his remarks, the Ambassador of Nigeria to Poland, Mr Eric Adagogo Bell-Gam praised Nigerians living in the country for being worthy ambassadors of the country.
Among those who met President Buhari were Mr Larry Ugwu, an Artist and Curator, who has lived in Poland for 40 years and has contributed immensely to promoting Nigerian cultural heritage in the Polish society.
Also, Anthony Egwuatu, a Gynaecologist, who has lived in the country for 30 years, was at the event.
Mr Olomofe Larry, a human rights activist, who fought for justice for fellow Nigerians in the host country, was also among several others at the event.
The event was put together and anchored by Mrs Abike Dabiri, Senior Special Assistant to the President, Diaspora.