Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has said late President Muhammadu Buhari was a patriot that tried his best to give the country the needed progress and development.
Obasanjo, in a statement through his Special Assistant on Media, Mr Kehinde Akinyemi, on Sunday in Abeokuta, said the news of the death of his former colleague, President Buhari, was received with heavy heart.
Obasanjo said,” It is with heavy heart I received the news of the passing of a colleague, a comrade, a cool patriot and a soldier, General Muhammadu Buhari,
“He played his role as a soldier, as an administrator and a statesman among numerous obligations he performed.
“At a time like this , we need the totality of the experience and what I may call statesmanship of all those who had opportunities to run the affairs of this country to get us out of the situation we are in. Buhari will be sorely missed and may his soul rest in perfect peace,” Obasanjo stated.
Obi expresses sadness over Buhari’s demise
Peter Obi, the former Labour Party Presidential candidate in the 2023 General Elections, has expressed sadness over the death of former President Muhammadu Buhari at 82.
Obi, a former governor of Anambra, in his condolence message posted on his X handle, expressed shock over the demise of the former president.
According to him, he received the very sad news of the passing of former President Muhammadu Buhari in London.
“His death provides a solemn moment, not just for his family and close associates, but for our nation as a whole.
“President Buhari has always comported himself in a dignified manner as a leader. To his wife, children, extended family, and to all Nigerians, I extend my deepest condolences,” he said.
He prayed Almighty Allah, Most Gracious and Most Merciful, to forgive President Buhari’s shortcomings, reward his efforts in service to the nation, and grant him Aljannatul Firdaus.
Buhari’s death, end of remarkable chapter in Nigeria’s history – Ooni
The Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi Ojaja 11, has described the death of former President Muhammadu Buhari as rude shock to Nigerians.
The remark is in a statement signed by Moses Olafare, the Director, Media and Public Affairs at the Ooni’s Palace on Sunday in Ile-Ife.
He stated that the Ooni received the news of Buhari’s passing with sadness and described it as “the end of a remarkable chapter in Nigeria’s national history.”
The family of former President Muhammadu Buhari announced his death on Sunday.
The former president died at a clinic in London, according to his Spokesperson, Garba Shehu, and former aide, Bashir Ahmad.
Buhari, who died at 82, served as Nigeria’s President from 2015 to 2023 and previously as a Military Head of State from 1983 to 1985.
His funeral arrangements are expected to be announced by the family in accordance with Islamic rites
Buhari had been receiving medical treatment in London before his passing, having initially travelled for routine medical check-up in April.
Buhari is survived by his wife, Hajiya Aisha Buhari, and eight children.
The Spiritual Leader of the Oduduwa worldwide believes that a statesman’s journey ends, but his legacy endures, while death is a divine passage that no man can escape.
He said “kings and leaders of great legacy are not mourned, they are celebrated; for their footprints in the sands of time remain long after they have transitioned to the ancestral realm.”
Oba Ogunwusi extolled the late president Buhari as “a resilient leader, a disciplined soldier and an unrepentant patriot, whose life symbolised selfless service, firm belief in the unity of Nigeria and a lifelong commitment to national development.
“From the battlefield as a gallant military officer to the highest office in the land as Commander-in-Chief, President Buhari was a man who gave his all to the cause of the Nigerian nation.”
Referring to a recent meeting with the former President, the Ooni added that he was in high spirit, strong and jovial as usual as he attended to him with maximum courtesy.
“It is really shocking to realise that he is no more but I think that in itself is a lesson to everyone here on earth.
“Though President Buhari may have physically departed, his legacy as a nationalist, a reformer and a bridge-builder between generations and ethnic divides live on,” the Ooni said.
He urged Nigerians across tribes, religions and political affiliations to draw inspiration from his firm belief in Nigeria’s unity and strive to uphold the values of peace, equity and progress.
“On behalf of the Yoruba race, the entire House of Oduduwa worldwide and traditional institutions across the country, Ooni Ogunwusi offers heartfelt condolences to the Buhari family,” he noted
The royal father also sent condolences to the Federal Government, the Kastina State Government, associates, colleagues, people of Daura Emirate community, people of Katsina State and Nigerians across the world.
“May the Almighty God grant his departed soul eternal rest in Aljanah Firdaus and console his family and loved ones he left behind”, the Ooni prayed.
What Atiku, Buni, Binani said about Buhari’s death
Atiku Abubakar, on Sunday, described the passing away of former President Muhammadu Buhari as a national tragedy.
Atiku’s reaction to Buhari’s death was made in his social media platform X (formerly Twitter).
“His death is not just a loss to his immediate family and the people of Daura, it is a profound national tragedy.
“Nigeria has lost a statesman who bore the burdens of leadership in both turbulent and triumphant times and whose legacy will be remembered for generations to come.
“I am deeply saddened by the news of the passing of former President Muhammadu Buhari, a man whose life was defined by unflinching patriotism, stoic discipline, and a lifelong commitment to the sovereignty and unity of our great nation.
“President Buhari was not just a former Head of State, he was a symbol of Nigeria’s resilience. From the battlefield to the corridors of power, he served with the kind of austere conviction and firm belief in duty that marked him as a soldier of principle and a leader of formidable will.
“To his beloved family, I offer my deepest condolences. I pray for strength and comfort in this time of grief. To the people of Katsina State and the entire nation, I mourn with you.
“May we all take solace in the knowledge that he gave his life to the service of Nigeria and never wavered in his belief in her promise.
May Allah, the Most Merciful, forgive his shortcomings and grant him eternal rest in Aljannah Firdaus,” he said.
Prominent Nigerians and global figures have taken to social media platform X (formerly Twitter) to express their grief and pay tribute following the death of former President Muhammadu Buhari.
Meanwhile, Gov Mai Mala Buni of Yobe also condoled with President Bola Tinubu, and the Katsina Government over Buhari’s death.
Buni similarly commiserated with the immediate family of the former president and the Daura Emirate Council over the irreparable loss.
The governor’s Director-General Press and Media Affairs, Alhaji Mamman Mohammed, in a statement described former President Buhari as a nationalist who dedicated his life to the unity and service of his fatherland.
“His death is a sad, huge and monumental loss to the country.
“The government and people of Yobe state condole with the President and Commander in Chief, Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR, the government and people of Katsina state, Daura Emirate and indeed the people of Nigeria over the loss of this committed nationalist who believed in the unity and progress of the Nigeria.
“As a Military man, he fought for Nigeria’s unity, as a Military Head of State, he committed himself to national service, and as a civilian President, he served with honour and commitment to the development and strengthening democracy,” Buni said.
The governor prayed for the repose of the soul of the late former president.
“May Allah forgive his shortcomings and admit him into aljannah, may He console his family over this irreparable loss,” Buni said.
Mr Ali Mohammed, the All Progressives Congress (APC), Legal Adviser in Yobe, also described Buhari as a honest leader who will be missed by Nigerians.
Sen. Aishatu Binani, also described late Buhari as a leader and statesman in the true sense of it, “our mentor who also gave me the fatherly shoulder to lean on in my times of need.
“Due to the death of the statesman, Sen. Binani announce the suspension of scheduled programme for tomorrow Monday in Yola, saying a new date would be communicated as the country mourn the exit of an enigma.
“While I regret all the inconveniences that the suspension of the programme may cause our supporters, kindly join me in praying for the repose of the departed soul of our dear Father and former President, Baba Buhari.
“Baba lived a life of service to Nigeria and beyond. I am shocked and saddened beyond words. He was a leader and statesman in the true sense of it, our mentor who also gave me the fatherly shoulder to lean on in my times of need,” she added.
Buhari’s death is collosal loss to Nigeria -Sanwo-Olu
Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State has mourned the passing of former president Muhammadu Buhari, describing his death as a colossal loss to Nigeria.
Sanwo-Olu, in a condolence message on Sunday by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Mr Gboyega Akosile, said Buhari was a transparent, courageous and honest leader.
The governor described the late former president as a man that truly loved Nigeria and contributed his quota toward her development.
“On behalf of my wife, Ibijoke, the people and government of Lagos state, I mourn the passing of former president Buhari, one of Nigeria’s most prominent military and democratic leaders.
“He was a courageous, disciplined, respected and passionate leader. His commitment to the growth and development of Nigeria is worthy of emulation because he provided honest and transparent leadership in the country,” the governor stated.
Sanwo-Olu commiserated with the immediate family of Buhari, and President Bola Tinubu over the death of his predecessor.
He also sympathised with leaders and members of the ruling All Progressives Congress, over the demise of one of the respected founders and leaders of the party.
“Former president Buhari demonstrated unparalleled leadership skills, patriotism, and courage in steering the ship of Nigeria. He was a respected leader who served Nigeria passionately in different capacities and with unblemished records.
“He sacrificed the greater part of his life to the service of our dear country. Buhari contributed immensely to the unity, growth and development of Nigeria and served passionately as military administrator, and minister of Petroleum Resources.
“My thoughts and prayers are with his family, especially his wife, Hajia Aisha Buhari, friends, political associates and the entire Federal Government, Kastina state and the good people of Daura. May God bless the former president’s soul and grant Nigerians the strength to bear this loss,” Sanwo-Olu stated.
After three failed attempts, Buhari achieved a historic victory in 2015, becoming the country’s first opposition candidate to defeat an incumbent. In 2019, he was re-elected for another four-year term.