Buhari’s Legacy Of Integrity, Service Will Inspire Nigeria- Tinubu
President Bola Tinubu has said the legacy of former President Muhammadu Buhari, marked by integrity, discipline and selfless service to Nigeria, will continue to inspire generations of Nigerians.
Tinubu, represented by Vice President Kashim Shettima at the first anniversary memorial of former President Buhari in Abuja on Monday, described Buhari as a patriot who dedicated his life to Nigeria’s progress, saying his values of integrity, discipline and service would continue to inspire the country.
The President said Buhari retained Nigerians’ respect even after leaving office, urging citizens to uphold the values he represented.
He stated, “We are gathered here today, one year after the passing of former President Muhammadu Buhari, because the life he lived is not a life this nation is capable of forgetting. He has entered the consciousness of Nigeria, and it is in the nature of such men that their memory outlives the living.
“So we assemble not out of obligation, but out of the necessity of reflection, to consider again what President Buhari meant to us as a friend, as a leader, as a father, as a husband, and as a citizen of this great country.
“President Buhari and I were co-travellers on the long road of politics and national development. We worked together through seasons of difficulty and seasons of hope. We shared a deep and abiding passion for a renewed, progressive, and prosperous Nigeria—a nation held together by brotherhood, settled in peace, and generous in abundance so that no citizen is left outside the circle of its promise.
“He gave everything he had to this country, and he gave it without reservation. He served with courage. He served with conviction and with a patriotism that never asked what the nation could return to him. From his years as a military leader to his transformation into a democrat and a determined defender of constitutional order, he embodied the very spirit of change and nation-building.
He described Buhari as one of the few leaders privileged to serve his country in two different capacities, first as a military leader and later as a democratically elected president.
Tinubu said Buhari’s popularity and the trust Nigerians had in him remained strong even after leaving office, adding that the late president’s legacy was built on integrity, character and a life of service rather than personal praise.
He continued, “To the immediate family, to our dear Mrs Aisha Buhari, and to the younger Buharis, I know that you have passed through a season of profound grief. Please be assured that the nation and this administration stand with you now and in all the years to come. We will continue to hold you up in our prayers, trusting that Almighty Allah will comfort you, sustain you, and shield you from all harm.
“Our duty, as his friends, as his mentees, and as his associates, is to carry forward the inheritance he left us: honesty, simplicity, and self-discipline.”
In his remarks, Former Head of State, General Yakubu Gowon, said his relationship with Buhari dated back to their days in the military, described him as a gallant soldier and a leader committed to Nigeria’s unity.
He noted that Buhari’s political journey was strengthened by his alliance with President Bola Tinubu, which eventually led to his emergence as president in 2015.
Gowon stated, “My relationship with General Buhari goes back many years. We served together as soldiers, and all of us did our best to keep this country united. I knew him as a gallant soldier and as a man who earned respect.
“Later, after our retirement from the military, General Buhari decided to go into politics. He did his best to seek political leadership that would support his ambition to become President. He contested several times but was unsuccessful.
“However, when he joined hands with Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, they formed a strong political alliance. The support he received from Asiwaju Tinubu certainly helped him to emerge as President. Their partnership remained strong throughout his administration.”
Gowon said Buhari supported Tinubu’s emergence as his successor, reciprocating the backing Tinubu gave him during his own presidential journey.
He continued, “This is something for which we must give President Buhari credit. He stood firmly behind President Tinubu so that he could continue serving Nigeria and do his best for the country, just as Buhari himself sought to do.
“I would like to say that President Buhari did his best for Nigeria. His sense of integrity and fairness knew no bounds. There is one more event that I will always remember. During the 2015 presidential election, I was attending an African Union meeting in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. At that time, there was great concern among delegates about what might happen in Nigeria after the election. Many feared there could be a crisis.
‘When I returned to Nigeria as the election results were being announced, that fear was still widespread. Then President Goodluck Jonathan accepted the election results even before the final announcement was completed. I was delighted.
“Straight from the airport, I went to see President Jonathan to thank him personally for his patriotic action. From there, I went to congratulate General Buhari. He graciously accepted President Jonathan’s concession and expressed appreciation for Jonathan’s decision, which helped Nigeria avoid an election crisis. General Buhari was always a leader who placed the interests of Nigeria above personal or regional interests.”
Katsina State Governor Dikko Umar Radda, represented by Deputy Governor Faruk Lawal Jobe, described late President Buhari as a leader whose life was marked by integrity, discipline and commitment to Nigeria’s unity.
He said the former president’s legacy went beyond politics, highlighting his contributions to infrastructure, agriculture, security and social development.
The Governor said Buhari’s simple lifestyle and dedication to public service earned him respect across the country, urging Nigerians to uphold values of accountability, honesty and national unity.
He added that Katsina State would continue to promote people-oriented policies that reflect the ideals associated with the late president.
Earlier in his remarks, Chairman of the Central Planning Committee, former Secretary of the Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha, described the first anniversary of former President Buhari’s death as an opportunity to reflect on his life of service and commitment to Nigeria.
Mustapha, who welcomed Tinubu, former leaders, governors, traditional rulers and other dignitaries to the memorial in Abuja, said Buhari’s passing triggered widespread grief across Nigeria, Africa and beyond.
He noted that Buhari’s funeral in Daura attracted people from different backgrounds, political affiliations and communities, describing it as a testament to the respect and impact the late president had on Nigerians.
