With the country mourning former President Muhammadu Buhari, Joel Nwokeoma and Stephen Angbulu bring you some memorable and controversial quotes from the soldier-turned-democrat
On Social Issues, Gender & Personal Moments
“My wife belongs in my kitchen, my living room and the other room.”
Joint press with Angela Merkel, Berlin, October 2016
“Nigerian youths want to sit and do nothing.”
Commonwealth Business Forum, London, April 2018
“Religion is a personal affair. Visit Mecca or Jerusalem with your own funds.”
Budget defence, 2015
“I will continue to show total commitment to the Sharia movement…God willing, we will not stop the agitation.”
Kaduna, 2001
“A lot of people hoped I died during my ill-health.”
“I cannot change the past, but I can change the present and the future.”
Al-Jazeera interview, 2015
“We know we are on the right path.”
2019 re-election victory speech
“You shall be able to go to bed knowing you are safe.”
Inaugural address, 2015
“Nigeria must first be secured; the economy must be re-balanced.”
Independence-Day address, 2017
“I belong to everybody and I belong to nobody.”
Inaugural address, May 2015
“If we don’t kill corruption, corruption will kill Nigeria.”
London Anti-Corruption Summit, 2016
“Those who embezzle public funds should be ready to face the consequences.”
Newspaper interview, March 2018
“We shall send corrupt politicians to Kirikiri.”
APC rally, Port Harcourt, January 2015
“Change does not just happen; you and I must play our part.”
Democracy Day broadcast, 2016
“Without the rule of law, government degenerates into dictatorship or anarchy.”
All-Judges’ Conference, November 2017
“Never again will public funds be diverted to private pockets.”
Audit Committee Inauguration, 2017
“If you make the mistake of voting for the PDP, I assure you, you will regret it.”
“The message is loud and clear—corruption is no longer business as usual.”
On Security, Boko Haram & Unity
“Technically, we have won the war against Boko Haram.”
Christmas-Eve TV interview, 2015
“We cannot claim victory without rescuing the Chibok girls.”
Presidential media chat, December 2015
“The command-and-control centre will relocate to Maiduguri until Boko Haram is subdued.”
Defence seminar, April 2015
“Stop killing our people.”
Eid message to insurgents, July 2015
“Nigeria’s unity is settled and not negotiable.”
Nationwide address, August 2017
“Justice is justice, whether it’s done in Africa or elsewhere.”
Dakar, 2015
“We shall overhaul the rules of engagement to avoid human-rights violations.”
Service-chiefs’ retreat, 2016
“If poverty and ignorance persist, fundamentalism will always be alluring.”
On Democracy and Elections
“This campaign is the third and last for me.”
Declaration speech, 2011
“If what happened in 2011 happens again in 2015, the dog and the baboon will be soaked in blood.”
Hausa-service radio, 2012
“You are all my people—those who voted for me, against me, or not at all.”
Victory speech, April 2015
“Our faith in democracy remains firm and unshaken.”
UN General Assembly, 2017
“Elections need not be a do-or-die affair.”
New-Year address, 2019
“Nigerians must thank former President Jonathan for not digging in.”
Inaugural-dinner toast, 2015
“People should only fear the consequences of their actions.”
BBC interview, 2015
“Let us put the recent past behind us and forget our old battles.”
APC caucus meeting, 2016
“I will not offer myself again for election.”
2011 pledge
“The corporate existence of Nigeria is not up for debate.”
On Economy and Social Policy
“We cannot rely on a single commodity to survive.”
Budget-signing, May 2016
“I will stabilise global oil price.”
Chatham House, February 2015
“People shouldn’t expect miracles a few months after we’ve taken over.”
Media chat, December 2015
“Our journey is not finished, but we have come a long way.”
Mid-term report, 2017
“We will encourage our countrymen to stay at home, work hard, and earn respectably.”
Diaspora conference, 2016
“It will be time to celebrate when I see joy in the faces—and pockets—of Nigerians.”
“Every new government inherits problems…Nigerians want solutions, not a recitation of problems inherited.”
Cabinet retreat, 2016
“The task of nation-building is continuous. It never stops.”
Ebonyi State visit, 2017
“This generation—and the next—have no country other than Nigeria; we shall salvage it together.”
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