Governors and traditional leaders among other distinguished Nigerians continue to pay tributes to the late President Muhammadu Buhari who passed away in London, United Kingdom on Sunday.

He was aged 82   

A former governor of Edo State, Godwin Obaseki, described the late president as a man who, in every sense, led a life of purpose, simplicity, and unwavering patriotism.
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‎In a statement on Sunday in Benin City, Mr Obaseki said the late Buhari was not just a great leader but a statesman whose quiet strength and personal discipline stood him out.

He noted that Buhari embodied the kind of honesty and modesty that inspired both admiration and reflection.

He stated, “Even at the height of power, he remained grounded, never allowing the trappings of office to change who he was at his core, a man of integrity. In 2020, during one of the most challenging moments of my political journey, President Buhari demonstrated what it truly means to be a democrat. Though I was not a member of his political party, the APC, he stood on the side of fairness and justice by insisting that the Federal Government would not interfere with the electoral process in Edo State. That singular act of statesmanship allowed the will of Edo people to prevail and helped protect the integrity of our democracy. I will never forget. He was indeed a good man. Nigeria has lost one of its most disciplined and principled leaders. While many will remember him for his fight against corruption and his austere lifestyle, I will remember him as a man who, when it truly mattered, choose country over party, principle over politics.’’

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Mr Obaseki commiserated with his family, the government, and the people of Katsina State, and indeed all Nigerians.

The Progressive Governors Forum also described Mr Buhari’s death as shocking.

The group condoled with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the Nigerian people, and the late president’s family.

The condolence message was signed by the Chairman of the Forum and Governor of Imo, State, Senator. Hope Uzodimma.

According to the governors, the news of Mr Buhari’s passing came as profound shock and sadness.

They extended their heartfelt condolences to Nigerians and the bereaved family.

The forum described Buhari’s death as a “monumental loss, not just to his immediate family, but the nation at large.

“With the passing of President Buhari, Nigeria bids farewell to one of its most emblematic figures of honest and dedicated leadership; an era shaped by integrity, patriotism, and uncommon sacrifice,” the statement added.

It further described the late president as an “unparalleled patriot,” pointing out that after a distinguished military career, he returned through democratic means to continue serving the country with honour and commitment.

The statement recalled Buhari’s notable track record in office, “especially his determined stance against corruption and indiscipline. He upheld these principles both as a military Head of State and a democratically elected president. Buhari’s legacy as a moral compass for transparent and accountable governance will continue to inspire generations of leaders across Nigeria and Africa,” the statement stated.

While mourning with Tinubu, Nigerians, and the Buhari family, the forum prayed for the peaceful repose of the late president’s soul.

In his tribute, A former military president, Gen. Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida (retd), said he was saddened with Buhar’s demise.

He said in a tribute, “It is with a deeply heavy heart that I received the news of the passing of my friend, my brother, my course mate, and a fellow soldier in the journey of nationhood — President Muhammadu Buhari, GCFR. Our paths crossed in 1962 when we both joined the Nigerian Military Training College in Kaduna. From those early days, Muhammadu stood out — quiet yet resolute, principled yet humble, deeply patriotic and fiercely loyal to Nigeria.

“Through the years, we shared trenches and trials, dreams and disappointments, victories and moments of reflection. Our bond was forged not only by military training, but by a shared commitment to the ideals of service, discipline, and love for country.”

According to IBB, during their long careers, fate placed both at different times, and in very different circumstances.

He added, “But in all, Buhari remained consistent in his belief in integrity, order, and the dignity of public office. He served Nigeria with a deep sense of responsibility and unwavering commitment, even when the road was lonely or misunderstood.

“Beyond the uniform and the public glare, I knew him as a deeply spiritual man, a man who found solace in faith, and who carried himself with the humility of someone who believed in a higher calling. We may not have agreed on everything — as brothers often don’t — but I never once doubted his sincerity or his patriotism.”

Mr Babangida said that the death was not just the loss of a former head of state, or a two-term civilian president.

He added, “It is the loss of a symbol — a man whose life embodied the transition of Nigeria from the old guard to the new republic. A man who, even in retirement, remained a moral compass to many, and an example of modesty in public life. To his beloved wife Aisha, his children, grandchildren, and the nation he loved and served — I extend my deepest condolences. May Allah (SWT), in His infinite mercy, forgive his shortcomings, accept his deeds, and grant him Aljannatul Firdaus. May his legacy endure, Ameen.”

In his tribute, the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi Ojaja 11, described Buhari’s death as rude shock to Nigerians.

He spoke in a statement signed by the Director, Media and Public Affairs at the Ooni’s Palace, Moses Olafare, on Sunday in Ile-Ife, Osun State.

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 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.”

The monarch 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 late 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.

He noted, “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.’’

The royal father also sent condolences to the Federal Government, the Katsina 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.

Abia State Governor, Alex Otti, described the death as a national loss.

Mr Otti said this in a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Ferdinand Ekeoma, on Sunday in Umuahia.

The governor extended his condolences to President Bola Tinubu, the Federal Government, and the bereaved family.

He urged the family and close associates of the deceased to bear the loss with courage and faith; and prayed to God to grant his soul eternal repose.

Also speaking, Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, described Buhari’s death as a colossal loss to Nigeria.

Mr Sanwo-Olu, in a condolence message on Sunday by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Gboyega Akosile, said the late 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.

He said, “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.’’

Mr 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.

Besides, the Arewa Consultative Forum expressed deep sorrow over the passing Buhari’s passing.

The forum described him as a towering statesman and a symbol of loyalty for the Nigerian downtrodden, particularly in the North.

In a statement issued on Sunday signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Prof. Tanko Muhammad-Baba, the ACF said the former president’s contributions to Nigeria spanned nearly six decades

According to ACF, the late Buhari left behind a legacy that would continue to evoke both admiration and analysis.

“The late retired general was a recurring decimal in policy and governance circles in Nigeria for nearly the past 60 years,” Mr Muhammad-Baba said.

He said that his roles from a military governor to the minister of petroleum resources to military head of state, and later twice-elected president, reflected a lifetime of national service shaped by discipline and resolve.

The ACF acknowledged that Buhari’s tenure at various points in Nigeria’s complex political history included “momentous and often controversial episodes.”

It stressed that no Nigerian leader in recent memory commanded such loyalty among the common people, especially across northern Nigeria.

“There is no Nigerian alive today that enjoyed the love and loyalty of the Nigerian downtrodden like the late President Muhammadu Buhari,” the forum stated.

The ACF said his life, service, and leadership would remain a subject of public debate for years to come, a reflection of the complex legacy he leaves behind.

The forum extended its condolences to the Buhari family, the government and people of Katsina State, the Federal Government, and Nigerians who share in the loss.

“ACF mourns retired Gen. Buhari and prays for the peaceful repose of his soul in Aljannatul Firdaus,” it added.

(NAN)