Barely six days to the expiration of his second tenure in office, President Muhammadu Buhari has said he built cordial relationship with the neighbouring countries, saying should anyone disturb him, his Niger Republic neighbours will defend him.
The President disclosed this at the official commissioning of Nigeria Customs Service Corporate Headquarters in Abuja.
He said he will relocate to his country home in Daura, which is far away from Abuja and closer to the neighbouring Niger.
“And I try to plan to be as far away from Abuja as possible. I came from an area which is far away from Abuja.
“I said if anybody with force moves, I have good relationship with my neighbours. Niger people will defend me.”
According to him, if one does not secure the confidence of his neighbour he or his grandchild will be in trouble.
He added that in the bid to earn the goodwill.of Niger Republic, Cameroon and Chad were the countries he first visited on assumption of office.
“I think I am trying to make my point. Later Nigeria appreciate it because it provides more jobs.
“People go back to agric. We have the land and they will produce what we eat. And for people who think that our neighbours can be a loser let’s continue to be with our neighbours.
” That is why when I became the Head of State that is President, my first visit was to Niger, Chad and Cameroon because based on neighbourhood on personal and national reason if you don’t secure the confidence of your neighbour you are in trouble.
” If you are not in trouble, your children and grandchildren be in trouble.
“So it is very good I established relationship with my neighbours.”
Speaking on why he appointed Col. Hmeed Ali (Retired) as the Comptroller General of Customs, he said Ali has the energy and competence to effectively supervise the over 1,600 km Nigeria land mass from Benin to Lake Chad.