*Akpabio, Govs, NLC President, Prof Alkali, Tompolo Laud Qualities Of Former President
By Stephen Gbadamosi,Ibadan; Emma Ogoigbe, Warri; Sam Tyav, Makurdi
Messages of condolence continued to pour in from prominent Nigerians over the death of former president Muhammadu Buhari, on Sunday in a London hospital.
His remains will be laid to rest today in his hometown, Daura, Katsina State.
Buhari Was Truly Mai Gaskiya -Akpabio
President of the Senate, Senator Godswill Akpabio, expressed profound sadness over the passing of the immediate-past President, describing him as “a statesman and leader of great integrity.”
The Senate President, in a statement personally signed by him, condoled with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the government and people of Katsina State and Buhari’s immediate family over the demise of the former president.
“It is with profound sadness that I received the news of the passing of His Excellency, Muhammadu Buhari, GCFR, former President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
“I am deeply pained that he died when his wise counsel is, needed, most in this country.
“On behalf of my family and constituents, the 10th Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the entire National Assembly, I extend my deepest condolences to the family of the late President, especially his wife, Hajia Aisha Buhari, and the children, friends and political associates, particularly President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, Governor Dikko Umar Radda, the Emir of Daura, Alhaji Farouk Umar Farouk, the people of Katsina State and Nigeria generally, over the passing of this great man.”
He described the departed former president as “a fine military officer that served Nigeria with zeal and patriotism and upon retirement transited to a democratic icon.”
Continuing, the Senate President said: “Through hard work, patience, uncommon resilience and discipline, Gen. Buhari became the first opposition candidate to defeat a sitting president in the history of Nigeria. His leadership and legacy will be remembered for his unwavering commitment to our nation’s development and stability. His life signified honesty, truth and justice; he was indeed, the real ‘Mai Gaskiya’.”
Further eulogising the late former President, Akpabio said: “Buhari commanded an unprecedented cult followership in the political history of Nigeria due to his characteristic stance against corruption, unrelenting pursuit of genuine democratic ideals and his staunch support for the unity and stability of the nation.
“Having worked closely with former President Buhari as a Minister under his administration, I can attest to the fact that he lived a Spartan life, thinking about the welfare of the people, especially the less privileged and was a leader worth emulating because he meant well for Nigeria and did his best to advance the cause of the people.
“May God comfort the family and his loved ones during this difficult time and may we continue to draw inspiration from his service to our great nation.
“May Allah grant him Aljannatul Firdaus in his eternal kingdom.”
Buhari Was Committed To National Development, Says Alia
On his part, Benue State Governor Hyacinth Alia expressed sadness over the death.
Governor Alia in message of condolence to the family of the former President, the people of Katsina State and Nigeria generally, described the late former President Buhari as one who was resolute and committed to national development above earthly possessions, who left behind a legacy, deeply rooted in integrity.
A statement by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Tersoo Kula, quoted the Governor as saying that Buhari, during his remarkable service spanning both his tenure as a military leader between December 31, 1983 and August 1985, and his time as a democratically-elected president between 2015-2023, left indelible marks on the nation’s history.
According to the statement, Gov. Alia said that the former President served Nigeria with unwavering courage and conviction, consistently prioritizing the nation’s interests and the well-being of its people.
The country, the statement continued, would “miss a statesman, a patriot, and a leader who committed his entire life to the service of Nigeria.”
Governor Alia prayed God to console his immediate family and the entire nation over the loss, and to also grant the former President eternal rest.
He Made His Mark In National Service – Makinde
Oyo State governor, ‘Seyi Makinde, condoled with President Bola Tinubu, on the death of Buhari, his immediate predecessor in office.
He equally commiserated with the wife of the former president, Aisha, and his entire family, praying to God to grant repose to his soul.
Makinde, in a statement made available to journalists by his media aide, described Buhari’s death as unexpected, noting, however, that the former president made his mark in serving the country.
He prayed that God gives his family the fortitude to bear the loss, while also granting the former military Head of State Aljanah Firdaus.
Buhari Did Not Lay Off Any Worker, Not Even During COVID-19 -NLC President Praises Him
Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) said the late former President Buhari was a patriotic servant leader who stood with the people and put the country first, no matter the cost.
NLC President, Comrade Joe Ajaero, stated this in a condolence message he personally signed and made available to newsmen in Abuja on Monday.
“For us in the unions, Buhari came fighting the unions and mass-retrenching workers, leading to indescribable suffering during his tenure as a military head of state.
“However, as a civilian president, Buhari saw to it that no worker was laid off (not even during the Covid-19 pandemic).
“He repeatedly gave facilities to state governments to clear the backlogs of salaries and pensions as well as to enable them to regularly pay salaries (although some governors betrayed this trust),” Ajaero said.
The labour leader added: “Although Buhari increased the pump price of petroleum products, he stoutly refused to sell off the refineries or devalue the Naira.
‘’Buhari consistently identified with worker-issues/values including resisting pressure to adopt fundamentalist market policies as part of the process of protecting workers and ordinary people.
“In the late President, therefore, we have lost a leader who corrected his mistakes against workers, during his second coming.
“He stood with the people and country, a leader who truly put the country first no matter the cost.”
Ajaero expressed NLC’s “deep sadness” by the news of Buhari’s passing, stressing that NLC members’ hearts were with the deceased’s immediate family, especially his wife Aisha, friends and associates in their trying moment.
He stressed that the late President gave his best to the country and prayed Allah to forgive his sins as well as grant him peaceful repose.
Tompolo Hails Buhari’s Virtues
Also contributing, Chairman of Tantita Security Services Nigeria Limited (TSSNL) and the Ibe-Ebidouwei of Ijaw Nation, High Chief (Dr.) Government Oweizide Ekpemupolo, alias Tompolo, described Buhari as a principled and patriotic Nigerian who contributed his quota to the country’s development during his tenure as President from 2015 to 2023.
“He was not a materialistic person and was content with what God blessed him with. He sought persons of good character, goodwill, and vigour to serve the country while he was President.
“That informed his hiring of Tantita Security Services Nigeria Limited to handle the surveillance of critical oil and gas facilities in 2022, when the country’s oil and gas infrastructure were bleeding.
“Today, the story is different as the country is progressing steadily towards attaining a peak in oil production,” Tompolo noted.
Nigerians, he stated, will miss Buhari’s contributions to the unity and peace of the country.
The oil pipeline security mogul extended his heartfelt condolences to the country, Buhari’s family, and close associates.
Buhari Left Legacy Of Resilience, Modesty, Principled Leadership – Professor Rufai Alkali
Former Political Adviser to former President Goodluck Jonathan and chieftain of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), Professor Rufai Ahmed Alkali, on Monday said the late former President Buhari left a legacy of resilience, modesty, and principled leadership.
In a condolence message, Professor Alkali declared that Buhari served Nigeria with unwavering commitment, courage, and a deep sense of patriotism across different areas of our national journey.
According to him, Buhari will be remembered as a man who gave his all, in the service of our dear country.
Professor Alkali added that the late former President “consistently demonstrated a fierce dedication to discipline, national integrity, and anti-corruption.”
Part of the condolence message read: “It is with deep sorrow and a profound sense of loss that I extend my heartfelt condolences to His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, the Government and People of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Her Excellency, Mrs. Aishatu Muhammadu Buhari, and the entire family of the late former President Muhammadu Buhari, GCFR, on the sad passing of one of Nigeria’s most iconic leaders and statesmen.
“President Muhammadu Buhari served Nigeria with unwavering commitment, courage, and a deep sense of patriotism across different eras of our national journey.
“From his military service to his two-term civilian Presidency, he consistently demonstrated a fierce dedication to discipline, national integrity, and anti-corruption.
“His legacy will remain etched in the annals of our nation’s history.
“This is indeed a moment of national mourning and sober reflection, as we remember a man who gave his all, in the service of our dear country.
“He leaves behind a legacy of resilience, modesty, and principled leadership that will continue to inspire generations of Nigerians.
“To Mrs. Aishatu Buhari and the entire family, I pray may Almighty Allah (SWT) grant you the fortitude to bear this irreparable loss. I pray, may Allah forgive his shortcomings and grant him eternal rest in Aljannatul Firdaus.
“Nigeria has lost a leader, a patriot, and a symbol of national conscience. I pray, may his gentle soul rest in eternal peace.”
