Nnamdi Kanu’s ‘Jubril from Sudan’ wasn’t funny to me — Buhari@80

*says his best efforts not good enough

President Muhammadu Buhari has described the claim that he was dead and replaced by a body-double – ‘Jibril Aminu from Sudan’ – as a joke that he did not find funny at all.

The claim was popularised by leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, after the president underwent a series of lengthy medical treatments in the United Kingdom in 2016 and 2017.

Buhari reacted to this claim in a documentary shown Friday night at a private dinner organised by his family and very closed associates, to celebrate his 80th birthday tagged “Celebrating A Patriot, a Leader, an Elder Statesman”.

According to him, some Nigerians have a way of creating humour to feast on something they do not understand, and that the rumour of his death was the work of of some mischief makers to demonstrate their cheekiness.

“Yes! People said I am somebody from Sudan. I didn’t bother with the name. Nigerians have mischievous ways of explaining themselves.

“It is not funny because those who made those statements, they just want to be cheeky. They want to distract attention from the main issue.

“Our main issue is to do the infrastructure, make people aware that they need to work hard to live well. They just want to enjoy life without earning the respect of their community and so on”, he said.

Buhari, who leaves office after his tenure expires in May
2023, also said he would not miss Aso Rock Villa much because he is being harassed that his efforts to make the country better are not good enough and are not appreciated by some people.

His words: “I wonder if I am going to miss much. I think I’m being harassed. I believe I’m trying my best but still my best is not good enough because there are people around that think that they can intimidate me to get what they want instead of going through certain systems to earn whatever they want to earn. And they are some people who want to be clever by half.”

President Buhari revealed that he lost two of his children by his late wife to sickle cell anemia and that was why when he wanted to remarry, he insisted the second wife, Aisha, must be of AA genotype, so that his children will not inherit the S from his AS genotype.

Aisha was conspicuously absent at the ceremony.

Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, while proposing a toast for the celebrant, described him as a forthright, good and kind man, as well as an exemplary leader.

He also noted that the president would made a very good entertainer in retirement because of his wackiest sense of humour.

The VP recalled how the president used jokes to calm him down and rescind his (Osinbajo) decision to submit a letter to the Economic and Financial Crime Commission (EFCC), to investigate allegations of corruption leveled against him.

“Mr. President is a very humorous man and I think he would made a very good career in entertainment one way or the other when he retires.

“One day, I went to him because they were some allegations that were made against me. And I was so angry, so I went to him to show him the letter I had written to the EFCC to investigate me. He looked at it and looked at me.

“He calls me VP or Professor depending on his mood. This time he said, ‘VP, why do you worry yourself about all these people. These people just make all sorts of allegations, they make all sorts of stories up. They are even saying that I am about to get married again; and even some foolish people were waiting at the National Mosque, waiting for me to come and marry again’.”

The President’s eldest daughter, Fatima Buhari, who spoke on behalf of her siblings and the entire family, used the occasion to thank her father for investing in their future by giving them the needed training and care for their wellbeing.

“We are deeply honoured to be here celebrating the 80th birthday of our beloved father. I thank almighty Allah for his mercy and grace, for giving our beloved father long life and good health.

“Baba is someone who money cannot buy. That is one thing we know and he taught us that. He taught us humility, loyalty, integrity, dignity and honesty and he has a very good sense of humour. He gave us everything a parent will give his child; love, care, good education, shelter and many more,” she said.

Fatima also described her father as a man with penchant for accountability and a stickler for time.

She said: “He gave us everything, love, care, good education and all. He is blessed with 10 children two of whom are dead, 22 grandchildren whom he gives funny names.

“We have learnt so much from his character like ‘no African time’, he is always prompt. He once left me behind and went on a journey we all planned to go because I was late. Of course, I cried but I learnt my lesson.

“He taught us accountability. He is always saying bring me back my change. Baba, I’m sorry I am saying all these in public but we are so proud of you, we love you to the moon and back”, she recalled.