President Muhammadu Buhari has revealed how his cronies pressurised him for land allocations in Abuja.

Mr Buhari admitted he was overwhelmed by his associates’ requests for land allocations in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

The Nigerian leader suggested that the attempt by his cronies to influence the sale of Abuja properties to them was unusual.

The president disclosed this when he hosted Abuja residents led by FCT minister Mohammed Bello, who paid him the traditional Christmas Day homage on Sunday at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

Mr Buhari said he was aware that the FCT minister is burdened with requests for land allocation from highly placed Nigerians, including the president’s associates.

Mr Buhari related how one of his cronies asked him to speak to the FCT minister to allocate him a plot of land, quoting the person as saying, “I will sell it and use the money to marry another wife.”

However, the president did not say how many such requests he acceded to. Mr Buhari has been criticised for his ethnic and nepotistic considerations in giving appointments and other opportunities.

He added, “I was overwhelmed by the priority of some people who need a plot of land not to develop it but to sell it and marry another wife. I don’t know how the minister copes with such people who are extremely serious about such things.”

Mr Buhari also mentioned that “about 45 per cent of those who have been given land allocation in the FCT have sold it and didn’t develop it according to the laid-down criteria (master plan).”

The president told members of the FCT community that he had yet to build a new house in Daura or anywhere and hoped to live in his old house.

Meanwhile, the FCT minister expressed delight that the Christmas homage had returned after two years’ suspension due to the outbreak of COVID-19.

He prayed to God to grant the president a peaceful and healthy retirement.

(NAN)