By John Moses
Oba Olu Falae, former Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) and traditional ruler of Ilu-Abo in Ondo State, has paid tribute to the late former President Muhammadu Buhari, acknowledging his efforts to build a better Nigeria.
Speaking to the Newsmen on Monday, Falae noted that Buhari’s intention was to eradicate corruption and advance national progress. Buhari passed away at the age of 82 in London on Sunday.
“He did his best and tried to make Nigeria great by wiping out corruption from society. The intention was excellent, though in my view, the approach taken was another matter,” Falae said.
Reflecting on Buhari’s tenure, Falae, who ran as the Alliance for Democracy’s presidential candidate in 1999, praised the late president’s courage in prioritising the fight against corruption both as a military leader and later as an elected civilian president.
However, Falae pointed out that eliminating corruption completely might not be realistic. “If our leaders collectively decide to reduce corruption by living lives of honesty, transparency, and integrity, they will make significant progress,” he observed.
He also noted that despite numerous arrests and prosecutions during Buhari’s administration, only a few high-profile convictions were secured, suggesting that the methods used may not have been fully effective.
Separately, Dr Olu Agunloye, former Minister of Power, also spoke to Newsmen, describing Buhari’s passing as the end of a long and dedicated life of public service.
“President Buhari died at a ripe age, having done his best for the country,” Agunloye remarked. He urged Nigerians to honour his legacy by championing social justice and supporting a system that treats all citizens fairly, regardless of status, religion, or ethnicity.
