Prominent Nigerians have congratulated President Muhammadu Buhari on the occasion of his 75 th birthday which comes up on Sunday.
In different statements issued they wished him long life, good health and prosperity.
Among those who sent greetings to the president are former President Goodluck Jonathan, Governor Aminu Tambuwal of Sokoto State, Governor Ayodele Fayose of Ekiti State and Speaker of the House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara.
In the statement issued by his media aide, Ikechukwu Eze, Jonathan described Buhari as a leader who had earned for himself, a special place in history, going by his uncommon experience in leadership.
The statement reads: “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.”
In his message too, the Governor of Sokoto State, Tambuwal said Buhari had paid his dues in the Nigerian polity, and prayed to God to continue to bless him.
Said he: “Attaining 75 years in life calls for thanksgiving and expression of gratitude to God. I am glad the Almighty Allah has blessed our president with long life and good health.
“No doubt, the president has proven himself to be a leader of high ethics and morality. We in Sokoto State join all Nigerians in wishing the president a happy birthday.”
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Ayo Fayose of Ekiti State, who is a serious critic of Buhari, in his message, said, “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.”
Fayose added however: “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.”
In his message, Dogara said Buhari was a visionary and prudent leader who carved a niche for himself as military Head of State.
He said he had also brought to bear his long standing pedigree as an incorruptible leader in the way he had been carrying out his duties as a civilian president.
