Former President Goodluck Jonathan, ex-Vice President and presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, Atiku Abubakar, his counterpart in the All Progressives Congress, Bola Tinubu, on Friday congratulated the President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.), on the occasion of his 80th birthday.
Jonathan, in a goodwill message by his Special Adviser on Media, Ikechukwu Eze, prayed for God’s guidance and protection for his successor as he continued to pilot the affairs of the nation in the remaining months of his administration.
He further said the Commander-in- Chief has had an exceptional opportunity of leading the country twice, both as a military Head of state and civilian President.
“As a leader, you are one of the few Nigerians who have been privileged to administer our country at different political eras; both as a military Head of State and civilian President. During these times, you offered your best efforts in the pursuit of your aspirations for the nation,” the goodwill message partly read.
In his congratulatory message to Buhari, Tinubu, in a statement by his Media Officer, Tunde Rahman, hailed the President for his commitment to nation-building and long years of patriotic service to the country.
The APC candidate, who described the President as “a patriot, selfless and steadfast leader of uncommon zeal”, recalled that Buhari enlisted himself into the service of the country as a teenager who joined the military immediately after secondary school.
He said at 80, the President could look back and be proud of his unblemished record of service to the nation throughout his military career as a soldier, platoon commander, General Commanding Officer, military governor, Minister of Petroleum, Head of State, Chairman of Petroleum Trust Fund and as the current leader of the country.
The statement read in part, “I heartily congratulate my President and my leader, Muhammadu Buhari, on the momentous and remarkable occasion of his 80th birthday.
“Our country is lucky to have this great man and dedicated public servant at this time. President Buhari has led an extraordinary life of service to Nigeria at every duty post with unassailable integrity. History will be kind to him and record his contributions to the progress, unity and stability of Nigeria in volumes.”
Also in his goodwill message, Atiku has congratulated President Buhari as he turned 80.
In a statement personally signed by him on Friday, he said, “President Buhari, at 80, continues to be a motivation for inner strength.”
The PDP presidential flag-bearer prayed for President Buhari “to continue to enjoy the grace of good health and vitality, as he continued to play his leadership roles in Nigeria and Africa.”
In his congratulatory message, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila, described Buhari as a beacon of hope, noting that his footprints would remain indelible in the sands of time.
The Speaker, according to a statement issued on Friday by his Special Adviser to the Speaker on Media and Publicity, Lanre Lasisi, said he recognised that Buhari had made sacrifices for Nigeria and Nigerians over the years, especially in the last seven and a half years of his stewardship as a President democratically twice.
