FULL TEXT OF BUHARI'S RESIGNATION
Babalola OLALEKAN
"My fall from grace"
Being text of resignation speech by Alhaji Ibrahim Salisu Buhari from
the post of Speaker and member, House of Representatives, Federal
Republic of Nigeria.
SINCE the hand-over of the military and the subsequent inauguration of
the House of Representatives, the House has focused on meeting the hopes
and aspirations of the Nigerian people.
I must thank you for the great honour you conferred upon me when you
elected me Speaker of this august Assembly. Since electing me you have
been virtually unanimous in your support for me. Consider therefore how
sad and distressed I was, when this House and the nation was scandalized
when questions were raised relating to my qualification to be a member
of this House. The controversy generated by that issue, has greatly
undermined my authority and prestige, making it difficult for me to
continue in office as Speaker and member of this Honourable House. I
therefore have no alternative but to resign my membership of the House
which, I hereby do.
I am bound, under all circumstance, to live above suspicion. It was
wrong therefore for my conduct to be open to justifiable suspicion as it
has been. I apologise to you. I apologise to the nation, I apologise to
my family, and friends for all the distress I have caused them.
I was led to error by the zeal to serve the nation. I trust therefore,
that the nation will forgive me and give me another opportunity to
serve. I still have faith in the nation and my commitment to her is
greater now, seeing that I have wronged it. I have consequently advised
my lawyer Chief Rotimi Williams SAN, CFR to withdraw my libel action
against "{The News"} magazine.
Everything in life is for a purpose and my prayers is that my
humiliation will illustrate that in our new democracy, no body, no
matter how highly placed, will be above the law. As I look up from the
ground following my fall from grace, I solemnly ask you for your
forgiveness for as they say "The human soul is strongest when it forgoes
revenge and forgives injury" I hope that in your own time, you will be
able to offer me a helping hand.
Permit me to seize this opportunity to express my regrets and offer my
unreserved apologies to all Nigerian at home and abroad for the
embarrassment this controversy has generated.
As I leave you today, I urged you all to remember that this House has
always been known for order and for positive change. It is true that we
must progress from hence, but it must not be a chaotic progress, for the
art of progress is to preserve order amidst change. I have no doubt
therefore, that you, my brothers and sisters are equal to the task
ahead.
Finally, I wish to emphasize that the sweet memory of our short but
useful time together will forever be cherished in my heart. For now, I
bid you farewell and divine guidance for the rest of your tenure. I also
wish you success as you labour in the cause of our country and nation
building. I shall never forget your kindness to me. Please remember me
in your prayers.
God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria!
Thank you.
Alhaji Ibrahim Salisu Buhari.
Dated this 22nd day of July, 1999.