• Hails President at 73

• Safiu Kehinde

Immediate past Nigerian President, Muhammadu Buhari, has hailed his successor, President Bola Tinubu, on his 73rd birthday celebration.

Buhari, in a statement issued on Saturday by his spokesperson, Garba Shehu, expressed his gratitude to Tinubu, stressing that him and his family remain indebted to the President.

According to the statement, Buhari underscored the bond between him and Tinubu with a call on Friday.

As quoted by Garba, the former President said he and the members of his family are in prayers for Tinubu for long life, good health and the successful administration of the country by the President, as he marks his birthday.

“When we pray for our leaders, we are praying for ourselves and the nation. We owe this to ourselves and the nation,” Muhammadu Buhari said to Tinubu.

The ex-President reiterated his gratitude to Tinubu and other leaders of the All Progressives Congress (APC) for the invaluable contributions they made towards the formation of the party.

The party, according to the Buhari, catapulted him to the presidency for two terms, after failed attempts in the past.

“No doubt, the annals of the country will not be complete without bringing into mention and without a recognition of the varied and numerous roles of President Tinubu as an entrepreneur, a party stalwart, a staunch activist, party organizer, party builder, a reliable ally and a serial winner of democratic elections. I am truly proud of my association with the Asiwaju.

“When Nigerians handed the baton of leadership to the APC in 2015, it was a mandate to lay the foundation for a new Nigeria where the poor get opportunities for a better future and I am glad that the vision is not lost. It was a victory of all those who wish the country’s good.” Buhari said.

He also used the opportunity to wish the President, his family, and the nation a successful completion of the Ramadan fast and a happy and joyful Sallah (Eid)