After May 29, Niger Republic’ll defend me if… — Buhari

Again, President Muhammadu Buhari (retd.), has reiterated his cordial relationship with neighbouring country Niger Republic.

Buhari, whose tenure ends in six days, attributed his confidence in the country’s defence to the cordial relationship he enjoys with them. He said if Nigerians make the country difficult to live in after the handover ceremony scheduled for May 29, Niger will come to his aid.

The president made this known during the inauguration of the N19.6 billion Nigeria Customs Service Corporate Headquarters in Abuja, on Tuesday.

President Buhari, during his speech at the inauguration ceremony, also noted that he plans on relocating to his country home in Daura, which is far away from Abuja and closer to the Niger Republic.

He said, “I said these few things about my personal belief because I have only six more days to go.

“And I try to plan to be as far away from Abuja as possible. I came from an area that is far away from Abuja.

“I said if anybody with force moves, I have a good relationship with my neighbours. Niger people will defend me.”

According to him, if one fails to secure confidence in his neighbour, he or his grandchild will be in trouble.

Buhari also stated that he intentionally appointed women to be Ministers of Finance in his eight years in office to combat disruptions from people looking for the award of contracts and payment of contract sums.

The president noted that the egos of most men will stand in the way of them seeking favours from a woman as Minister of Finance.

Buhari’s first finance minister was Mrs. Kemi Adeosun, who resigned after the NYSC scandal of 2017.

After Adeosun’s resignation, the President appointed another woman, Mrs. Zainab Ahmed, to head the finance ministry.

He said, “I deliberately appointed ladies so that it will give me a lot of peace.

“I made sure I gave the ministry of finance to a lady to exploit the cultural behaviour of all Nigerians: once ladies are in charge, people feel too big to go to ladies.

” So, I am sure peace will be allowed in the Ministry of Finance, where people will go and lobby for their contracts to be paid, and so on. So, they feel too big to go to the ladies.”