The President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.), met with South-East leaders in Owerri, Imo State on Thursday.

Buhari told them that he loves to be remembered as the president who stabilised Nigeria in the area of security, economic prosperity, and triumphs over corruption.

The president spoke with the South-East leaders at a town hall meeting during his one-day official visit to Imo State.

Buhari’s media aide, Femi Adesina, quoted the president as saying this in a statement titled, ‘I want to be remembered as a president who stabilised Nigeria, President Buhari tells South-East leaders’, on Thursday.

Security number one priority – Buhari

“If there is no security, there is nothing anyone can do no matter how much you try or the initiative you have.

“Security is the number one priority and then the economy. When people feel secure they will mind their own business,” he said.

‘Fighting corruption difficult’
The president told South-East leaders that while fighting corruption in Nigeria had become very sophisticated and difficult, he would continue to strive to leave a lasting legacy of integrity and accountability in the system.

“Nobody can accuse me of having companies or mansions anywhere in the country and I thank God that I try to keep myself as clean as possible so that I cannot be taken hostage.

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“I will do my best to ensure that Nigerians that try hard, succeed in their efforts,” he said.

2023 election will be credible

On the forthcoming 2023 elections, the president reaffirmed his commitment to free, fair and credible polls, urging the leaders to honestly educate their constituencies on the need to hold their elected representatives accountable.

‘South-East to benefit from projects’
He promised that the Federal Government would complete ongoing key projects in the South East, including the 2nd Niger Bridge as well as the railway lines and routes linking the region with other parts of the country.

“I firmly believe that when you get infrastructure right, Nigerians will mind their own businesses,” he said, adding that as a group, the Igbos stand to benefit more from the ongoing development of infrastructure in the country because ‘‘they are more enterprising.”