Senate President Godswill Akpabio has paid glowing tribute to the late former President Muhammadu Buhari, praising him as a leader who served Nigeria with honesty, discipline, and unwavering patriotism.
Speaking during an expanded Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting held Thursday in Abuja to honour Buhari’s legacy, Akpabio emphasized that the former president’s integrity remained intact throughout his time in office.
“Let us be honest, he was tough. He was a soldier who did not flinch under fire… And even his fiercest critics will admit that he did not pilfer the nation’s purse, nor pander to its pleasures,” Akpabio stated.
He described Buhari as a leader who never shied away from responsibility, noting that the late president’s firmness stemmed from his patriotism and belief in Nigeria, despite its challenges.
“His toughness was not out of pride but of a fierce, unrelenting belief that Nigeria was still worth fighting for,” the Senate President said.
The memorial event was attended by ministers, governors, top lawmakers, and members of Buhari’s family, led by his son, Yusuf Buhari.
Akpabio further remarked that Buhari was a president who sought duty when others chased glory, adding:
“He did not merely pass through the corridors of power; he left his boots and imprints in them. He believed discipline mattered, integrity mattered, and leadership must be anchored on something greater than power.”
Buhari, who previously served as military Head of State from 1983 to 1985 and later as civilian President from 2015 to 2023, passed away last Sunday in London at the age of 82. He was laid to rest in his hometown of Daura, Katsina State.
