Senate President Godswill Akpabio has relived his experience as a minister under late President Muhammadu Buhari, describing him as a “sentinel of Spartan simplicity” and “a Nigerian whose loyalty to this nation was never up for sale.”
Speaking during the special session of the Federal Executive Council held in honour of Buhari, Akpabio recalled the former leader’s service in both military and civilian capacities, hailing his enduring legacy.
“As a minister in his cabinet, appointed by him, I saw President Buhari unplugged. He was not flamboyant—far from it. His voice was measured. His steps, deliberate. His public demeanor, austere. But beneath that calm exterior beat the heart of a patriot—unyielding, unbending, and utterly uninterested in personal comfort when duty called,” Akpabio said.
He noted that Buhari served Nigeria first in uniform and later in civilian attire, never wavering in his belief in the country’s promise.
“He served this nation first in uniform, and decades later, returned to serve it once more—this time in flowing agbada. Whether clad in khaki or in civilian robes, through coups and campaigns, criticisms and crises, he never wavered in his belief in the promise of Nigeria. His legacy is marked by monumental achievements—too many, too vast, and too significant for me to enumerate within the time allotted for this tribute.
But even his fiercest critics will admit: he did not pilfer the nation’s purse, nor pander to its pleasures. He remained, to the very end, a sentinel of Spartan simplicity and austere integrity.
His life reminds us of a truth often forgotten in this noisy age—that greatness is not always loud, and that history, in its wisdom, sometimes reserves its most solemn applause for those who labored not for fame, but for legacy.
Let it be said by generations to come, that a man once walked this land with a firm gait, a steady gaze, and an iron sense of duty,” he said.
Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas, in his tribute, called Buhari a “moral compass” who lived for principle, not applause.
“To me, he was more than a leader. He was a mentor, a moral compass and a source of guidance,” Abbas said, recalling his political journey under the Congress for Progressive Change (CPC), a party founded on Buhari’s integrity.
He praised Buhari’s devotion to faith, family, and duty, adding that his simplicity reflected his sincere values.
“He never clung to power. He never sought personal reward. He served, and he stepped aside when his time was up,” Abbas said.
The most emotional moment of the session came when Buhari’s son, Yusuf, gave a tearful vote of thanks. Overcome with grief, he struggled to complete his remarks.
The special FEC session marked the climax of a week of national mourning after Buhari’s death on July 13 in a UK hospital. He was buried on July 15 at his Daura residence in accordance with Islamic rites.
Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Didi Walson-Jack, praised Buhari’s impact on Nigeria’s public service.
“President Muhammadu Buhari was a towering figure in Nigeria’s national life, an embodiment of discipline, integrity, and unflinching dedication to the service of our country,” she said.
She highlighted the introduction of the Federal Civil Service Strategy and Implementation Plans (FCSSIP) under Buhari’s administration.
“Under his stewardship, the Nigerian Civil Service witnessed a revival. His administration championed the FCSSIP, reflecting his belief in a capable and ethical public service. His emphasis on merit and the rule of law inspired a culture shift that continues to shape reform efforts today,” she added.
Walson-Jack also recalled her own appointment by Buhari as permanent secretary.
“His was a leadership marked by simplicity, courage, and rare moral clarity—values that remain instructive for all in government today,” she said.
On his part, Kwara State Governor and Chairman of the Nigerian Governors’ Forum, Abdulrahman AbdulRazaq, described Buhari as “a devoted servant of the Nigerian people” whose life was “woven into the fabric of our nation.”
“We gather to pay tribute to a man whose life was a model of service—a soldier, a patriot, a statesman, and above all, a devoted servant of the Nigerian people. Across every region of our great nation, his legacies remain visible and impactful,” he said.
AbdulRazaq, on behalf of his fellow governors, condoled with President Tinubu, the federal government, and Buhari’s family.
“We pray for the peaceful repose of General Buhari. May God grant his family strength and comfort, and may the Almighty continue to bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria,” he said.
PIAK