Lagos: On July 13, retired Maj.-Gen. Muhammadu Buhari, former President of Nigeria, passed away after the mid-day prayers at a London Clinic at the age of 82. Many testimonies about his life and times indicate a man of civility, discipline, and patriotism, known for his Spartan lifestyle and commitment to eradicating corruption.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, President Bola Tinubu paid a glowing tribute, highlighting Buhari’s unwavering dedication to Nigeria both as a military leader from January 1984 to August 1985, and later as a democratically elected President from 2015 to 2023. Tinubu described Buhari as a patriot, soldier, and statesman, whose legacy of service and sacrifice continues to endure.
Revered Islamic scholar, Mufti Ismail Menk, praised Buhari as an upright man, known for his discipline and integrity, who served his people to the best of his ability. The U.S. Mission in Nigeria also expressed condolences, recognizing Buhari as a leader committed to restoring integrity to public office and strengthening Nigeria’s democratic institutions.
The Chinese embassy in Nigeria mourned Buhari as a resolute leader whose dedication to Nigeria’s unity and progress leaves an enduring legacy, acknowledging his contributions to China-Nigeria relations. Former President Olusegun Obasanjo, who also served as a military Head of State, described Buhari as a comrade and cool patriot, reflecting on his roles as a soldier, administrator, and statesman.
Tributes poured in from international leaders, including Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed Ali, Sierra Leone President Julius Maada Bio, and World Trade Organisation Director-General Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala. Analysts note that the history of Nigeria will be marked by Buhari’s roles during his three terms leading the country, both as military head of state and as a democratically elected president.
Buhari’s political journey began in 2003, following Nigeria’s return to a democratic dispensation in 1999. He joined the All Nigeria People’s Party (ANPP) and contested the presidential election, though he lost to Olusegun Obasanjo. Undeterred, Buhari continued his political struggle, forming the Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) in 2010, and later winning the presidential election in 2015 under the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Buhari’s tenure as president was marked by his commitment to national service and integrity. As he handed over power to President Bola Tinubu in 2023, Buhari acknowledged his mistakes, seeking pardon from those he might have hurt. Former President Goodluck Jonathan remembered Buhari as a courageous leader, a disciplined officer, and a committed public servant who made significant contributions to Nigeria’s peace and progress.