The Presidency has reacted to a statement credited to President Buhari during a recent audience he granted Nigerians resident in South Africa, where he was quoted as saying that: “I wish I became Head of State when I was a governor. Now at 72, there is a limit to what I can do.”
Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Mr. Femi Adesina, explained on Wednesday, June 17, that like a good old wine, Buhari gets better with age.
In a press release made available to journalists in Abuja, Adesina admitted that the President made the statement, but however, said he never implied that he couldn’t cope with the rigours of office.
The statement said: “The above comments have been reported by some newspapers to mean that the President was saying he was too old to cope with the demands of his office. Far from it.
“As the saying goes, ‘old wines are tasty’ and the President Buhari we have today is a man, like old wine, that has got tastier.
“At 72, yes, he can’t be called a youth, but he has in quantum the wisdom, the patience, temperance and forbearance that age brings. And all these virtues he has brought to the Presidency, to make a difference in our national life.
“The President assured the Nigerian community in South Africa that his administration will make a positive impact on the country. And that he would do.
“Insecurity as symbolised by insurgency will be brought to an end, corruption will be fought to a standstill, employment will be created for the teeming army of unemployed, the economy will be revived, and the quality of life of Nigerians will take an upward swing again.
“These will not come by a sudden flight, but they will happen in the life of this administration.”
