President Muhammadu Buhari, born 17 December 1942, clocked 76 today, Monday, December 17.
As he celebrates the new year, messages of felicitation have started pouring in from various quarters; former military president Ibrahim Babangida was the first to congratulate President Buhari.
Babangida in his congratulatory message to President Buhari hailed the president for providing focused leadership and showing tremendous energy despite his age.
Also, former president Goodluck Jonathan has followed suit, on Sunday, December 16. Jonathan, in the message he signed in Abuja, thanked God for blessing Buhari with the grace of a long life while noting that the president had contributed so much to the development of Nigeria, having served the nation in different capacities.
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Top 5 facts about Buhari as he celebrates 76th birthday
Source: UGC
1. Presidency; He contested presidency four times; he won the fourth attempt
President Buhari contested the presidency four times. He failed in the first three attempts: 2003, 2007 and 2011. However, in his fourth attempt in 2015, he emerged Nigeria’s president on the platform of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
2. Buhari is the first to defeat an incumbent president
After failing three times, Buhari eventually won the presidency in 2015, making him the first democratically elected president to defeat an incumbent. He defeated ex-President Jonathan of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
3. Buhari is the first president to be inaugurated by African Union (AU) as Anti-Corruption Champion
At the inception of his administration in 2015, President Buhari said his government will focus on the security of lives and properties, the fight against corruption and the resuscitation of the economy.
Though some Nigerians and major opposition parties have accused President Buhari of being selective in the fight against corruption, it cannot be said that there is no effort at all–whether selective or objective –being decisively taken against the scourge of corruption.
In recognition of his war against corruption, the African Union decorated President Buhari as the Anti-Corruption Champion for the year 2018, making him the first president to be so decorated.
4. He is the second, after Olusegun Obasanjo, to rule Nigeria under the military and civilian governments
Nearly 30 years after he was ousted from power, and after three failed attempts to return, President Buhari eventually became the nation’s 15th leader. He first served as Nigeria's military ruler (1976–79). After ex-President Olusegun Obasanjo, he is the second Nigerian to achieve the feat.
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5. Buhari was in 1985 detained for over two years by then military president Ibrahim Babangida
Buhari was in 1985 detained for over two years by then military president Ibrahim Babangida.
Speaking recently, Buhari harped on how he ended up in jail after arresting and jailing others for corruption-related offences.
“When I was the military head of state, I arrested many people and jailed them for alleged corruption. In the end, I also ended in jail,” he said.
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