Thursday, July 17, 2025
State House, Abuja
PROTOCOL
Today we gather under the solemn shadow of loss, surrounded by the silence that follows the departure of a leader whose presence once filled this room with purpose and resolve. We assemble to pay tribute to a man who once presided over this very chamber with discipline and strength, whose voice inspired our best efforts and whose convictions remained firm even in the face of turbulent public opinion.
President Muhammadu Buhari, GCFR, former Head of State and former President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, has departed. He was a soldier in war, a citizen in peace, and a servant to the nation without selfish ambition or desire for praise. Yet it was in the simplicity and humility of his private life that his greatest virtues were most clearly seen: deeply religious without ostentation, just without cruelty, principled without pride, and gentle without weakness.
Steadfast in posture and spirit, noble in bearing, and commanding in quiet dignity, his life remains an enduring guide to all who encountered him. That example will continue to inspire us.
To his peers he was respectful and sincere. To those who served under him he was kind but firm. And to those closest to him he was affectionate, loyal, and good. His life condemned vice and protected virtue. His private integrity gave light to his public discipline.
Even in his final moments he showed the serenity that defined his life, not a sigh, not a groan, only peaceful submission to the will of Almighty God. That was the man Nigeria has lost. That is the leader we now mourn as a nation.
- President Buhari’s life was a testament to honour and integrity. Always upright, he was never seduced by the lure of power, never swayed by applause, and never afraid to walk the lonely path of truth over popularity. His courage was quiet, his integrity unspoken, and his patriotism evident in action rather than words.
His life mirrored the journey of Nigeria itself. Born before our independence, he became a young soldier committed to preserving the unity of this nation. In war and in peace, he served with vigilance, discipline, and a fierce sense of duty as though he alone bore the responsibility of watching over Nigeria.
From the battlefield to high office he remained devoted to the cause. He governed the North Eastern State, served as Head of State, and later chaired the Petroleum Trust Fund with uncommon discipline and unwavering focus on the public good.
Yet despite all these achievements his most enduring legacy lies in his commitment to democracy. At a time when many had lost hope in the political system Muhammadu Buhari placed his faith in the Nigerian people.
- We stood together, he and I, alongside others from all regions, faiths, and political traditions, to build a national alliance that ultimately delivered Nigeria’s first true democratic transition of power from one ruling party to another.
When he was sworn in as our party’s first elected President he led with humility, governed with honour, and carried the weight of leadership without complaint. Those closest to him knew that the power of his office never changed him. Under pressure he remained calm. Amid crisis he stood firm. In triumph he remained humble.
What stood out most was his cheerful spirit. Even after leaving office he returned to Daura not to wield power from behind the scenes but to live in quiet dignity. He did not seek to impose his will but instead trusted others to carry the torch forward.
This was the man we honour today. This was the patriot Nigeria will never forget.
May his soul rest in perfect peace.
