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From Adesuwa Tsan, Abuja
The Senate has commended President Bola Tinubu for giving a befitting burial to his immediate predecessor, Muhammadu Buhari, who died after a protracted illness.
The lawmakers also praised the Federal Government for immortalising the late leader by renaming the University of Maiduguri, Borno State, after him.
They held a minute silence in his honour during yesterday’s plenary.
These followed the adoption of a motion to honour the former president, moved by the Senate Leader, Opeyemi Bamidele, who described Buhari as a soldier, statesman and patriot whose life left an indelible mark on Nigeria’s political and military history.
Buhari died on Sunday, July 13, after a prolonged illness, marking the end of what the Senate leader described as “an era that will forever remain indelible in the minds of Nigerians.”
Following his death, President Tinubu declared seven days of national mourning and ordered that national flags fly at half-mast. The Senate also suspended plenary for one week in his honour.
“In moving this motion, I am reminded of the transient nature of human life,” Bamidele said. “Our consolation is that former President Muhammadu Buhari led a successful and fulfilled life, first as a gallant and courageous soldier who rose to the peak of his military career, and then as a two-term President of this country.” He noted that Buhari was a highly decorated military officer who worked diligently to secure the country in different capacities, including military head of state before finally winning elections as a civilian president in 2015 and 2019 under the All Progressives Congress (APC).
“As President, he embarked on reforms that led to the socio-economic development of this country,” the Senate Leader disclosed.
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“This is the end of an era. His life was not only a study in resilience, but a demonstration of the cyclical nature of leadership in our country from khaki to agbada and back to a quiet retirement.”
Lawmakers across party lines also paid glowing tributes. Seriake Dickson of the PDP, in his tribute, stressed that though he did not always agree with Buhari’s policies, he offered support whenever he could.
“Most Nigerians don’t understand the economic difficulty the country faced between 2016 and 2020. Buhari, alongside the National Economic Council led by Vice President Osinbajo, found ways to support the states.
“I must put this on record: in 2016, when I was going for re-election, President Buhari called me and said, ‘Governor, don’t worry. I’ve spoken to INEC, the IG and others. I’ve instructed them to ensure a free and fair process.’
“He did that because he had once been a victim of electoral malpractice himself. He didn’t want others to suffer the same fate.
“Even when the matter went to the Supreme Court, he didn’t interfere. He didn’t attempt to influence the outcome. He allowed the rule of law to prevail.So today, we honor a man who respected the law, showed compassion, and served Nigeria with sincerity.”
Immediate past Senate president, Ahmed Lawan, recalled that he worked closely under the leadership of the late president and recalled that the executive-legislative relationship was so good that the ninth Assembly was labelled rubber-stamp. “He served Nigeria. He awakened Nigeria. Nigeria was a part of him. From his youthful days to his adult years, he lived for this country,” he stated.
In his remarks, Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, commended President Tinubu “for setting the right tone in honouring a leader who served the country well. The entire country is proud of what this administration has done in paying respects to Buhari.”
