President Muhammadu Buhari has described those who spread the rumour of him being replaced with a Jubril Aminu from Sudan as mischievous.

He spoke at a get-together by family and associates to mark his 80th birthday.

It was held in the Old Banquet Hall of the Presidential Villa in Abuja on Friday night.

In the aftermath of President Buhari’s prolonged hospitalisation in London, it was claimed that he died in the process of being treated and was replaced by a body double.

He left the country for treatment in London in May and returned in August 2017 after 103 days.

President Buhari said he would continue to do his best in service to Nigeria despite criticisms from some quarters that he has not done enough.

At the special birthday event, a documentary was aired on his life from childhood, where he declared that he was not bothered by the claim that he died long ago and is not the real Buhari.

Responding to a question in the documentary on whether the claim affected him, he said he heard the rumour but was not distracted.

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

“No. It’s 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 enjoy life without earning the respect of their community and so on.”

On what he will miss the most after leaving office in May next year, the President simply said “nothing much”.

“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 same people who want to be clever by half,” he said.

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

He praised President Buhari for leading the nation with great courage, determination and commitment.

“I invite your excellences, ladies and gentlemen, to join me in proposing this toast to an exemplary leader, a forthright and honest man, a good and kind man, and a man who has led this country with great courage, determination and commitment for so many years.

“We pray that the almighty God will preserve his life for very many years to come and that he will live all of these many years in good health, peace, joy and with the love of all of our country men,” he said.

Presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, who also graced the occasion, thanked President Buhari for sacrificing a lot for the progress of Nigeria.

“You have been at the helm of the affairs of this country at a critical time. We have seen a life of commitment, dedication, patriotism and honesty. Mr President, you have done well for your country. Our nation has seen the difference, the leadership that you demonstrate,” he said.

He said President Buhari belongs to the class of leaders who came and served their country with commitment, dedication patriotism and honesty.

He likened him to leaders like Charles De Gaulle of France, Franklin Roosevelt of the United States of America (USA) and Winston Churchill of the Great Britain.

Tinubu, accompany by his running mate Senator Kashim Shettima, said: “The leadership you have demonstrated reminded me of the speech you gave at the Primary Convention when you won the nomination.

“You thanked the people with all humility and said even if you had the money, you would not have paid, but that is because they know who you are, a man of integrity, great commitment, transparent and a exceptional humility.”

Tinubu prayed that “God will continue spare you to see the history as you want it for the country, the ship of this nation will be on the right course. You will live long to enjoy a nice evening of democracy that you brought about.

“When you talk of PVC, card reader, transparency and honesty in the electoral process, like you did, we can only promise not to let you down. Enjoy 80 till you celebrate other birthdays,” he said.

Also eulogising the President, former Ogun State governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun, described the President as a man with an impeccable character and somebody that loves Nigeria.

“He is a man whom all of us; even his adversaries will agree that this is a man with a flawless character, a man with a good heart, very compassionate, very committed and a good listener.

“Somebody that loves his family, Nigeria; he is a nationalist. President Muhammadu Buhari will always think about others. In his own little way and even in his humorous way, he will always not just think about himself.

“He is somebody tha is not bothered about all these worldly things he is already a contented human being,” he said.

Ebonyi State Governor, David Umahi described President Buhari as a detribalised person that means well for Nigeria.

“Let me say here that the President is a very highly detribalised personality.

“He is a man that loves this nation. Every time you meet him, he laments about the level of patriotism of our people.

“You will see a man that has passion for the people of this country, a man that loves every section of this country,” he said.

The governor thanked President Buhari for completing the second Niger bridge, which is now facilitating the movement of people and goods to the Eastern part of the country this yuletide season.

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 caring 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.

There were good will messages from traditional rulers, who all eulogized President Buhari as a man of integrity and a huge sense of humour.

The Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed, led other members of the President’s cabinet as they presented a giant birthday card, as the rejoiced with him on his 80th birthday.

Governors who also graced the occasion were Aminu Masari of Katsina State and Atiku Bagudu of Kebbi. (The Nation, except headline)

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