By Paul Effiong, Abuja
Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas has expressed shock over the death of former President Muhammadu Buhari, describing him as one of the most patriotic Nigerians to have ever lived.
This was contained in a condolence message signed by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Musa Krishi, and made available to journalists yesterday in Abuja.
Speaker Abbas condolences followed the announcement of the former president’s death in London after a brief illness.
According to the statement, Abbas noted that Buhari, who died at the age of 82, used most of his lifetime to serve Nigeria.
He described the former president as an officer and statesman who made a name for himself as ‘incorruptible’ and lived a life defined by simplicity and a remarkable absence of materialism, virtues that earned him widespread respect and trust across the country.
He said the former president was one of the only two Nigerians to have been military heads of state and democratically elected under civilian rule, describing it as a rare privilege to serve the country.
He recalled his cult followership, especially in the north, which he attributed to the former president’s disciplinary and upright personality.
Abbas also recalled how Buhari’s alliance with his successor, President Bola Tinubu and others to form the All Progressives Congress, APC, as a formidable force that sacked the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, from power in 2015 after 16 years in government.
“He was a fine officer of the Nigerian Army and politician of repute, who got to the peak of his military and political careers. He was disciplined, patriotic, modest and upright. He served the nation most of his life in different capacities. Only a few Nigerians have the privilege to have so served their country.
“Buhari carved a niche for himself as an incorruptible leader, a man of integrity and an unflinching commitment to nation-building. His life was also defined by uncommon simplicity,” the speaker said.
He commiserated with the Buhari family, the emir of Daura, people and government of Katsina State, as well as Kaduna State where he lived most of his life.
