Jonathan, Dogara, Fayose felicitate with Buhari at 75

President Muhammadu Buhari (right) and former President Goodluck Jonathan 

FORMER President, Dr Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, has congratulated President Muhammadu Buhari on his 75th birthday.

In a statement issued by his media adviser, Mr. Ikechukwu Eze on Saturday, the ex-President described Buhari as a statesman whose rare experience of leading Nigeria at different times, has earned him a special place in history.

The statement read: “I wish to most sincerely congratulate you on your 75th birthday. My family and I are pleased to join your numerous well wishers to felicitate with you as you mark this day.

“Your Excellency, you are a statesman whose place in history as Nigeria’s leader, at different epochs in our nation’s development journey, is guaranteed.

“I pray that God Almighty that has kept you alive and healthy will continue to protect and strengthen you as you lend your efforts to the bid to realise our collective dreams for a greater and more prosperous nation.

“Congratulations!”

Also, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Honourable Yakubu Dogara, has eulogised President Muhammadu Buhari, as he clocks 75 years.

In a congratulatory message he personally signed to mark the president’s birthday anniversary, Dogara praised Buhari for his uncompromising stance and relentless commitment in introducing deft policies aimed at achieving full economic recovery and growth.

He described the president as a visionary and prudent leader who curved a nitch for himself as military Head of State and has brought to bear his long standing pedigree as an incorruptible leader, in the discharge of his duties as a civilian President and commander-in-chief of the armed forces.

“ The numerous achievements of our APC led government which you pilot and your revolutionary zeal, courage and dynamism in leadership have earned you and indeed Nigeria,  respect  globally as well as inspired and rekindled the hope of Nigerians for better days ahead. “

“ You have consistently demonstrated exceptional humility, uncommon integrity and dogged patriotism while piloting the affairs of the nation.”

“You have equally remained consistent in dealing with the hydra- headed problems of corruption,  insecurity and unemployment through various reforms and interventions in line with your campaign promises.”

“Under your leadership,  Nigeria is steadily regaining its past glory and winning investors’ confidence and earning global respect and recognition.”

Ekiti State governor, Chief Ayodele Fayose, congratulated President Buhari on the occasion of his 75th birthday, urging the president to quit when the ovation is loudest.

In an interaction with newsmen in Ado-Ekiti on Saturday, the governor said the president had served the nation as far as he could with his advanced age.

In a statement by the governor’s chief press secretary, Mr Idowu Adelusi, Fayose said the president required the prayers of all Nigerians.

“This is to congratulate Mr President as he clocks 75. I want to thank God for his life and pray for good health in the service of our nation and that he continues to age with grace. I wish him the best. He represents us all and we owe him prayers and cooperation where necessary, just as we also need to criticise him too where necessary,” he said.

Asked what he would tell the president if he sees him on his birthday, Fayose said he would congratulate him, not minding the political differences between them.

Asked what would be his advice to the president on his rumoured second term bid, Fayose noted that it would be honourable for the President to call it quit now.

“I am not a fan of an old man and this is not personal and peculiar to President Buhari. We need an agile president come 2019. We need somebody that is experienced and agile. He shouldn’t contest and the decision is his and his party. But that is not going to stop me and my party from taking over from him and his party come 2019,” he added.