Former President Muhammadu Buhari has revealed that he left office in 2023 with the same physical assets he possessed before assuming the presidency in 2015. He also acknowledged that his private residence in Kaduna was renovated by the administration of his successor, President Bola Tinubu.
Buhari made this known while receiving governors from the All Progressives Congress (APC) under the Progressive Governors Forum (PGF), who paid him a courtesy visit at his Kaduna home. The visit and Buhari’s remarks were detailed in a statement by his media aide, Garba Shehu, on Wednesday.
Buhari, who served as president from May 29, 2015, to May 29, 2023, was the first leader elected under the APC platform. Although a native of Daura in Katsina State, Buhari has spent his retirement in Kaduna State.
Asset Declaration History
Upon assuming office in 2015, Buhari publicly declared his assets, reinforcing his image as a modest and disciplined leader. According to a 2015 statement from the presidency, his assets included:
- ₦30 million in his bank account
- Five houses
- Two undeveloped plots of land
- Several farms and an orchard
- A ranch with 270 cattle, 35 sheep, five horses, and poultry
- A number of economic trees
In 2019, the presidency confirmed that Buhari’s assets had not significantly changed during his first term. No new houses, foreign bank accounts, or additional shares were acquired, the statement noted.
Buhari Urges Governors to Prioritize Citizens’ Welfare
During the meeting, Buhari encouraged APC governors to adopt a citizen-focused approach to governance, stressing the importance of prioritizing the welfare of the people over personal gain.
“Leadership brings both challenges and opportunities. Balancing the two will greatly benefit the country,” he said, citing his own decision to leave office with unchanged personal assets.
Buhari also expressed gratitude to President Tinubu for renovating his Kaduna residence, stating that while the building looked the same from the outside, its interior had seen notable improvements.
APC Governors Praise Buhari’s Legacy
Chairman of the PGF and Governor of Imo State, Hope Uzodinma, said the visit was timed to coincide with the Eid-el-Fitr celebrations and to express the governors’ appreciation for Buhari’s immense contributions to Nigeria’s democracy and the development of the APC.
“You remain the only opposition candidate in Nigeria’s history to defeat an incumbent. You governed with calm resolve and handed over power with honour,” Uzodinma said.
The governor praised Buhari’s achievements in security, infrastructure, social investment, and anti-corruption, highlighting programs such as:
- The Conditional Cash Transfer
- The School Feeding Programme
- The Anchor Borrowers’ Scheme
- Road and rail development projects
He emphasized Buhari’s impact on food security and progressive governance, noting that the former president taught Nigerians to “produce what we eat and eat what we produce.”
Uzodinma also commended Buhari for his recent public endorsement of President Tinubu, describing it as a strong symbol of continuity and unity within the party.
“Your Excellency, today we honour not just your past service, but the enduring values you represent. We ask that you continue to guide and support us as we strengthen the APC and build a more prosperous Nigeria,” he concluded.
