In death as in life Buhari stood out
By Adamu S. Ladan
In a country where memories are short and legacies often forgotten with the turn of political cycles, the passing of President Muhammadu Buhari, GCFR, triggered a moment of rare national pause. It was not just the death of a former leader—it was the departure of a national symbol. A man whose life—like his death—stood apart.
Nigeria has seen the passing of former heads of state before. But few have drawn the kind of tributes and reverence that trailed Buhari’s transition. From ordinary citizens to global leaders, traditional rulers to political opponents, the outpouring of encomiums revealed just how deeply his presence shaped the national psyche. His was not merely a life of public service; it was one of remarkable personal conviction.
In a moving display of honour and institutional respect, the Federal Executive Council—the highest policy-making organ of the nation—convened a special valedictory session to pay homage. Ministers, many of whom served under him, spoke of his simplicity, unwavering discipline, and patriotic fervour. Others recalled his quiet but firm leadership style, his love for the country, and his commitment to legacy over popularity. It was a rare gathering, not just to mourn but to reflect on the ideals he represented.
The tone of the Council meeting was not one of political correctness but genuine respect. Even those who once disagreed with his policies acknowledged his sincerity and forthrightness. For many, Buhari symbolized a generation of leadership forged in service, guided by principle, and indifferent to personal enrichment. In an era often marred by flamboyance and compromise, he stood apart—firm, frugal, and focused.
His burial in Daura, attended by an impressive array of dignitaries both local and foreign, was consistent with his lifelong humility. No grand mausoleum, no excessive ceremony. Just a final return to the earth in the land of his ancestors—a man of power choosing simplicity even in death. That act alone was a powerful political sermon in a country where power is too often equated with pomp.
To his critics, Buhari was too rigid, too aloof, perhaps too old-school. But to many others, he was the conscience of a nation struggling to rediscover integrity. He brought discipline back to the national conversation. He proved that one could rise to the pinnacle of power without abandoning modesty. And though his presidency was not without challenges, his personal integrity was rarely in question.
In death, as in life, Muhammadu Buhari stood out—not because he sought the spotlight, but because he carried himself with a quiet resolve that demanded attention. His final moments have become a national mirror, forcing us to ask: what do we truly value in our leaders? Wealth, words, or worth?
As Nigeria navigates the complex challenges ahead, the memory of Buhari may well endure—not as a flawless figure, but as a man who, even in death, reminded the nation of a different kind of leadership: one rooted in duty, not drama; service, not self; and country, above all.
May Almighty Allah repose his soul in jannatul fiddaus.
