Former President Muhammadu Buhari has justified the naira redesign policy introduced during his administration, stating its purpose was to convey to Nigerians that there are no easy shortcuts to attaining power.
In his first post-office interview aired on the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA), Buhari explained that the motivation behind the policy was to underscore the challenges of leadership and the importance of genuine service.
Responding to questions about implementing the policy during election time, Buhari emphasized Nigeria’s status as an underdeveloped country, cautioning against the allure of material wealth and the potential for compromising principles in the pursuit of power.
He urged Nigerians to consider the difficult path of genuine service over shortcuts that may involve compromising others.
Buhari highlighted achievements in security and the economy, specifically mentioning the recovery of territories from Boko Haram during his tenure.
He also addressed personal accountability, stating that he did not amass personal wealth or property during his eight years in office.
The former president acknowledged the astuteness of Nigerians in holding leaders accountable but also expressed concerns about the tendency to encourage leaders to make mistakes, creating a hostage-like situation for those in power.
Buhari denied the existence of a cabal in his government and explained his approach to trusting personnel, emphasizing that he allowed individuals to perform their roles without interference.
Reflecting on his time in office, Buhari asserted that he lived in peace, having not engaged in personal acquisitions. He attributed his success to fate and the advent of technology in the electoral process, which he believed saved the day for him after three attempts at the presidency.
Despite not missing his time in power, Buhari stated that, if given another opportunity, he would not change his approach.
