Former Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari denies personal ownership of a revoked land in Abuja. His spokesman clarified that the land was allocated to the Muhammadu Buhari Foundation, not Buhari himself. The clarification addresses misinformation and emphasizes Buhari's integrity and selflessness during his time in office.
Former Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari has denied ownership of a plot of land recently revoked by the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) in Abuja. In a statement issued by his spokesperson, Garba Shehu, Buhari emphasized that the land was not personally owned by him but was allocated to the Muhammadu Buhari Foundation, a non-profit organization established by his supporters.
Shehu explained that the Foundation had lawfully acquired the land, with assistance from well-meaning Nigerians. However, bureaucratic challenges arose when the Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA) presented an unusually high bill for the certificate of occupancy, which was notably higher than what is typically charged to similar organizations. This led to the eventual revocation of the land rights.
Additionally, Shehu highlighted that Buhari had no personal interest in acquiring land in Abuja during his tenure as president. When asked to apply for land, he returned the form unfilled, stating that others who did not own land should be prioritized over him.
Shehu condemned the spread of false reports regarding the issue and urged those fueling the controversy to verify facts before making baseless claims. He reiterated Buhari’s commitment to public service, emphasizing his integrity and selflessness throughout his time in office, and called for respect for the former president’s reputation.
