President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, on Thursday, led the Federal Executive Council (FEC) in a deeply emotional special session to honour the late former President Muhammadu Buhari. The event, held at the State House in Abuja, was attended by Vice President Kashim Shettima, ministers, top government officials, and members of the Buhari family.
In his opening remarks, Tinubu set the tone for the solemn gathering, describing it as one that “gathered under a heavy shadow” to remember and reflect on the life of a man whose influence shaped modern Nigeria. “We meet to honour a man whose presence once commanded this very room,” Tinubu said, lauding Buhari’s impact as both a military ruler and civilian president.
Tinubu painted a portrait of Buhari as a man of profound discipline, quiet strength, and unwavering principles. “He was first among soldiers in war, first among citizens in peace,” the president noted, describing the late leader’s virtues as “pious without show, humane without sentimentality, and temperate without coldness.”
A Life of Patriotism and Principle
President Tinubu highlighted Buhari’s enduring legacy of austere honour and selfless service to the country. He praised the late statesman’s military discipline and moral integrity, saying, “His was a quiet courage, a righteousness that never announced itself. His patriotism was lived more in action than in words.”
Recalling Buhari’s early years in the military and his later roles in governance, Tinubu outlined how Buhari’s journey mirrored Nigeria’s history—from fighting to preserve national unity during the civil war to chairing the Petroleum Trust Fund with unmatched transparency. “From the battlefield to the corridors of power, he remained faithful to the task,” Tinubu remarked.
More than his titles or offices, Tinubu emphasized Buhari’s personal character, saying, “His life was a rebuke to vice and a refuge for virtue. The purity of his private character gave radiance to the discipline and integrity of his public service.”
Legacy of Democratic Transition
President Tinubu spoke emotionally about the political alliance he and Buhari forged that led to the historic 2015 presidential election, which saw the first peaceful transfer of power between parties in Nigeria’s history. “We stood together, he and I,” Tinubu said. “Alongside others… we formed an alliance that enabled Nigeria to experience its first true democratic transfer of power.”
The president commended Buhari’s leadership style, describing him as calm in crisis, resolute under pressure, and modest in triumph. Even after his presidency, Buhari returned to Daura without fanfare, choosing quiet retirement over political meddling. “He never sought to impose his will but was content to let others carry the nation forward,” Tinubu recalled.
Tinubu acknowledged that Buhari, like all leaders, was not without flaws but insisted that his decency and commitment to integrity made him stand apart. “His record will be debated… but the character he brought to public life will not be forgotten,” Tinubu affirmed.
President Tinubu bid Final Farewell to a National Hero
Recounting the funeral proceedings, Tinubu said it was an honour to personally lead Buhari’s burial procession to his hometown in Daura, Katsina State, alongside Vice President Shettima. The ceremony, conducted with “dignity befitting a great and noble leader,” served as a final tribute to Buhari’s decades-long service to Nigeria.
Tinubu extended heartfelt gratitude to the Inter-Ministerial Committee led by SGF George Akume and Governor Dikko Radda for organizing a state funeral within 48 hours of the former president’s passing. He also thanked the Buhari family for the support they provided the late leader throughout his long public service career.
“In this period of national mourning,” Tinubu said, “our gratitude remains with President Buhari’s family who gave him the strength to serve this country for over 50 years. We honour his service, reflect on his legacy, and pray for the peaceful repose of his soul.”
Mai Gaskiya: A Legacy That Will Endure
In his closing remarks, President Bola Ahmed captured the essence of the man many Nigerians came to know as Mai Gaskiya—the honest one. “President Buhari was not a perfect man—but he was, in every sense of the word, a good man, a decent man, an honourable man.”
He urged Nigerians and leaders alike to carry Buhari’s memory forward, not only in words but in action: “Let us honour him with humility in power, discipline in service, compassion in governance, and fearlessness in the pursuit of justice.”
Concluding his tribute, President offered a prayer for Buhari’s soul: “May Almighty Allah forgive his shortcomings and grant him Aljannah Firdaus. May his life continue to inspire generations of Nigerians to serve with courage, conviction, and selflessness.”
With a final emotional farewell, Tinubu said: “President Buhari, thank you. Nigeria will remember you.”
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