Former Military President, General Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida (IBB), has penned an emotional tribute to Nigeria’s late former President, Muhammadu Buhari, describing him as a principled leader and lifelong patriot whose sincerity he said he never doubted.
In a personally signed statement on Monday, Babangida expressed profound grief over Buhari’s passing, recalling their decades-long bond that began in 1962 at the Nigerian Military Training College in Kaduna.
IBB reflected on the evolution of their relationship, noting that it went far beyond professional camaraderie.
He said, “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.
“We were more than colleagues. We were brothers in uniform and in nation-building — bound by discipline, sacrifice, and a shared vision for Nigeria.”
While acknowledging that they had their disagreements, Babangida maintained that Buhari’s intentions were never in doubt.
“We may not have agreed on everything, as brothers often don’t, but I never once doubted his sincerity or his patriotism.”
The former military leader recounted how fate placed both men at the helm of the nation during different periods and under vastly different circumstances.
“In the course of our long careers, fate placed both of us in leadership at different times and under very different circumstances. But in all, Buhari remained consistent in his belief in integrity, order, and the dignity of public office,” the former military president noted.
Naija News reports that IBB described Buhari as a man who stood firm even when he faced criticisms and political storms, adding that his passing marks the end of an era.
“His death is not just the loss of a former Head of State or a two-term civilian President. It is the passing of a symbol — a man whose life embodied Nigeria’s journey from military rule to democratic governance,” he said.
The former leader also praised Buhari’s modesty and moral standing even after leaving office.
“Even in retirement, he remained a moral compass, admired for his spartan lifestyle and his example in public service,” IBB stated.
Offering his condolences to Buhari’s widow, Aisha, his children and grandchildren, Babangida prayed for eternal peace for the departed leader.
“May Allah (SWT) forgive his shortcomings, accept his good deeds, and grant him Aljannatul Firdaus,” he concluded.
Naija News reports that Buhari, who ruled Nigeria as military head of state between 1983 and 1985, and later as a two-term civilian president from 2015 to 2023, died in London on Sunday while receiving treatment for an undisclosed illness.
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