The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Abbas Tajudeen, has expressed deep shock and sorrow over the passing of Nigeria’s former President, Muhammadu Buhari, GCFR, who died in London at the age of 82 after a brief illness.
In a condolence message issued on Sunday through his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Musa Krishi, Speaker Abbas described the late President as one of the most patriotic Nigerians to have ever lived, noting that he dedicated the majority of his life to serving the country in both military and civilian capacities.
Describing Buhari as a disciplined and upright leader, Speaker Abbas said the former President was widely admired for his incorruptibility, modest lifestyle, and uncommon simplicity qualities that earned him deep respect and a cult-like following, particularly in Northern Nigeria.
Speaker Abbas recalled that Buhari remains one of only two Nigerians alongside former President Olusegun Obasanjo to have served as both military Head of State and later as a democratically elected President. He hailed this as a rare achievement and a testament to Buhari’s enduring commitment to nation-building.
The Speaker also highlighted Buhari’s pivotal role in Nigeria’s political history, particularly his alliance with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and other key leaders in the formation of the All Progressives Congress, APC. That coalition would go on to unseat the Peoples Democratic Party in 2015, ending its 16-year reign.
Reflecting on the former president’s post-leadership years, Speaker Abbas noted that Buhari had opted for a quiet retirement after serving two full terms as a civilian president, and expressed pain that he has now gone to his eternal rest.
In his words, “The news of the demise of former President Muhammadu Buhari was shocking to me. But we cannot question our Creator. All mortals shall taste death. May Allah forgive his shortcomings and grant him Jannatul Firdaus.”
Speaker Abbas extended heartfelt condolences to the Buhari family, the Emir of Daura, the people and government of Katsina State, as well as to the people of Kaduna State, where the late President resided for most of his life.
