Nigeria’s Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Abbas Tajudeen, has described former President Muhammadu Buhari as one of the most patriotic figures in the nation’s history, expressing shock at his passing in London at the age of 82.
In his tribute, Abbas noted that Buhari dedicated most of his life to national service, both as a military leader and a civilian president. “He was disciplined, patriotic, modest, and upright,” the Speaker said, highlighting Buhari’s reputation as an incorruptible statesman whose life was marked by simplicity and a notable absence of materialism.
Abbas also reflected on Buhari’s rare achievement of leading Nigeria first as a military head of state and later as an elected president, following in the footsteps of Olusegun Obasanjo.
The Speaker credited Buhari’s strong following, particularly in northern Nigeria, to his reputation for discipline and integrity. He further recalled Buhari’s political alliance with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and other leaders, which led to the formation of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and ended the 16-year rule of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in 2015.
“It is painful that Buhari, who had chosen to rest after serving for eight years as president, has now departed for eternal rest,” Abbas said.
Offering prayers for the late leader, the Speaker extended condolences to Buhari’s family, the Emir of Daura, the people of Katsina State, and Kaduna State, where Buhari spent much of his life.
