By Banji Ayoola
Glowing tributes poured in on Tuesday, December 17, 2019 as President Muhammadu Buhari clocked 77, breaking the records as Nigeria’s oldest civilian leader ever in power.
The president, in his first coming, became Nigeria’s military leader as a Major General, in 1983, at 41, following a coup which overthrew the civilian administration headed by President Shehu Shagari, and truncated the Second Republic.
He was later removed from office in a subsequent coup by military officers headed by Gen Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida, the self styled military President, whose regime annulled Nigeria’s freest election in which the large- hearted philanthropic multimillionaire publisher and businessman, Chief Moshood Kashimawo Abiola was elected President.
Abiola, who declared himself President following the refusal of the military dictatorship headed by the late Gen Sani Abacha, to restore his mandate, died in detention in controversial circumstances during another successive military regime headed by Gen Abdulsalami Abubakar, rtd.
The military’s refusal to restore Abiola’s mandate threw Nigeria into a protracted tortuous and bloody pro-democracy struggle spearheaded by the National Democratic Coalition, NADECO, during which many promising activists were killed, maimed and their properties bombed.
Eventually, the military was forced to embark on a transition programme, which pushed it out of power in 1999 and to cede power to a democratically elected civilian government headed by President Olusegun Obasanjo.
It was in this atmosphere that Buhari ventured into full politics, and after three attempts, became Nigeria’s fourth democratically elected President in 2015, and won re-election in 2019.
Happy Birthday MY incorruptible GMB – Aisha Buhari
Wife of the President, Aisha Buhari, took to her twitter to celebrate her husband, describing him as “MY incorruptible GMB”.
“Happy Birthday to MY incorruptible GMB; I wish you Allah’s Guidance Protection and Good Health to continue steering the affairs of our dear nation. Long Live GMB Long Live Federal Republic of Nigeria!”
Happy Birthday to MY incorruptible GMB.
I wish you Allah’s Guidance Protection and Good Health to continue steering the affairs of our dear nation .
Long Live GMB
Long Live Federal Republic of Nigeria ! pic.twitter.com/t0fKZqlUuP— Aisha M. Buhari (@aishambuhari) December 16, 2019
Families, governors, cabinet ministers and well-wishers also made remarks to President Buhari.
Governor Yahaya Bello
“On behalf of the government and the good People of Kogi State, I wish to rejoice with Your Excellency on the occasion of your 77th Birthday celebrations.”
Governor Samuel Ortom
“On behalf of the government and people of Benue State, felicitates with President Muhammadu Buhari on the occasion of his 77th birthday.”
Governor Ifeanyi Okowa
“As you continue to serve our nation with an uncommon sense of patriotism and unwavering dedication, I thank Almighty God for granting you a life of great accomplishments and abiding fulfillment. Happy Birthday Mr. President! #PMBAt77”
As you continue to serve our nation with an uncommon sense of patriotism and unwavering dedication, I thank Almighty God for granting you a life of great accomplishments and abiding fulfillment. Happy Birthday Mr. President! #PMBAt77 pic.twitter.com/vFp00K4lUs
— Dr. Ifeanyi Arthur Okowa (@IAOkowa) December 17, 2019
Northern Governor’s Forum
“The Northern Governors forum has felicitated with President Muhammadu Buhari GCFR, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, as he marks his 77th birthday (17th December 2019).
“In a congratulatory message, Chairman of Forum and Governor of Plateau State Simon Bako Lalong said President Buhari has demonstrated unparalleled leadership, patriotism, integrity, sacrifice, and courage in bringing genuine change to Nigeria.”
Bashir Ahmad
“It’s PMB’s 77th birthday, today. Muhammadu Buhari was born on December 17th, 1942 in Daura, Katsina State, he studied largely in Katsina, took his military training in Kaduna as well as in Great Britain, India, and the United States. #PMBAt77”
It’s PMB’s 77th birthday, today.
Muhammadu Buhari was born on December 17th, 1942 in Daura, Katsina State, he studied largely in Katsina, took his military training in Kaduna as well as in Great Britain, India, and the United States. #PMBAt77pic.twitter.com/ozxnnwwwCw
— Bashir Ahmad (@BashirAhmaad) December 16, 2019
Tolu Ogunlesi
Happy Birthday Mr President! This morning the President’s personal aides and a few close friends paid him a visit at home. #PMBAt77
Happy Birthday Mr President!
This morning the President’s personal aides and a few close friends paid him a visit at home. #PMBAt77 pic.twitter.com/auySKcHlL6— tolu ogunlesi (@toluogunlesi) December 17, 2019
Hadiza Bala Usman
Happy birthday Mr President @MBuhari. Wishing you continued wisdom, strength and Allah’s blessings #PMBAt77
Happy birthday Mr President @MBuhari. Wishing you continued wisdom, strength and Allah’s blessings #PMBAt77 🎂🙏🏼🙏🏼 pic.twitter.com/MnHuNg9S2P
— Hadiza Bala Usman (@hadizabalausman) December 17, 2019
Abike Dabiri-Erewa
#PMBAt77 . Happy birthday @MBuhari. May almighty Allah continue to guard and guide you as you lead our dear nation.
#PMBAt77 . Happy birthday @MBuhari .May almighty Allah continue to guard and guide you as you lead our dear nation. pic.twitter.com/PxM2j4ERnk
— Abike Dabiri-Erewa (@abikedabiri) December 17, 2019
Garba Shehu
Birthday wishes to our boss, Muhammadu Buhari, President Federal Republic of Nigeria. Praying for long life and good health; more years of service to the nation.
Birthday wishes to our boss, Muhammadu Buhari, President Federal Republic of Nigeria. Praying for long life and good health; more years of service to the nation. pic.twitter.com/kHuZa3zUIi
— Garba Shehu (@GarShehu) December 17, 2019
Happy Birthday to President @MBuhari, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. #PMBAt77pic.twitter.com/eZilIBNHmC
— Presidency Nigeria (@NGRPresident) December 17, 2019
Theresa Tekenah@TheresaTekenah
“We know we are on the right path. Our journey is not finished, but we have come a long way.”
Happy Birthday President Muhammadu Buhari. Thank you #PMBAt77
33802:05 – 17 Dec 2019Twitter Ads information and privacy84 people are talking about this
Happy cheerful 77th birthday to H.E, President Muhammadu Buhari.
The permanent nightmare of corrupt owners of Nigeria PLC; the slayer of wailers and the builder of
MODERN NIGERIA.
Long live president Muhammadu Buhari: Long live the Federal Republic of Nigeria #PMBat77
11000:12 – 17 Dec 2019Twitter Ads information and privacy24 people are talking about this
HBD to the most incorruptible and hardworking president ever, General president Muhammadu Buhari. HBD Mr President
President Muhammadu Buhari, you lied to us. May you prosper in every good thing you do and fail in every unjust thing. Birthday regards #PMBat77
PRESIDENT MUHAMMADU BUHARI AT 77!!
Happy birthday, Sir!!
The man after my own heart. God bless you so much more.
Cheers!! #PMBAt7715823:16 – 16 Dec 2019Twitter
