A day before he hands over power to his successor, Nigeria’s President Muhammadu Buhari has defended his record on the economy and the outcome of a disputed presidential election.
He said he was leaving a legacy of credible and fair votes.
“In the course of revamping the economy, we made some difficult choices, most of which yielded the desired results.
“Some of the measures led to temporary pain and suffering for which I sincerely apologise to my fellow countrymen, but the measures were taken for the over-all good of the country. I am confident that I am leaving office with Nigeria better in 2023 than in 2015. I thank you all,” the president said in a national address.
Mr Buhari first came to office in 2015, promising to improve the economy as well as end corruption and insecurity, but many Nigerians say these issues have worsened under his watch.
The electoral victory of the incoming president, Bola Tinubu, is being challenged by opposition rivals.
On Tuesday a tribunal will begin to hear the main arguments in the election petition.
