ABUJA – The President-Elect, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari, has commended the forgiving spirit of the Emir of Borgu in Borno, Dr Halliru Dantoro, and others, who were detained under his military rule.
Buhari ruled the country from December 1983 to July 1985, after a coup overthrowing President Shehu Shagari.
According to a statement released in Abuja and signed by Malam Garba Shehu, Director Media and Publicity, APC Presidential Campaign Organisation, Buhari said leaders such as the Emir never held it against him that they were detained.
It said the Emir had gone ahead to establish very strong and cherished personal relationship with him.
The statement said as Commander-in-Chief in a military dispensation, responsibility for all actions of government belonged to him, even when he never gave orders for some of the actions to be taken.
In a speech he delivered while receiving the Emir, who led his Council members on a congratulatory visit, Buhari mentioned Malam Adamu Ciroma, a former Minister of Finance and Agriculture, as one of those with forgiving spirit.
‘’I accept the goodwill of all such past leaders who did not hold me personally responsible for the actions of the military government.
‘’I promise the nation that as an elected president, I will ensure equity, fairness and justice for all,’’ the statement read.
Buhari, in the statement, felicitated with all Christians on Easter.
Earlier, the statement quoted the Emir as saying that Buhari’s second coming was divine, to redeem and reunite the nation.
He pledged the total support of his people to the in-coming administration.