Hon Abbas Tajudeen, Speaker of Nigeria’s House of Representatives, has paid heartfelt tribute to the late former President Muhammadu Buhari, describing him as an icon of discipline, modesty, and unwavering national service.
Reacting to Buhari’s death in London at the age of 82, Abbas recalled a life largely devoted to the nation, first as a military head of state in the 1980s and later as a democratically elected president from 2015 to 2023.
“He stood out for his incorruptibility and his deep commitment to nation-building,” Abbas said. “His simplicity and absence of materialism earned him immense respect.”
The Speaker reflected on Buhari’s unique place in Nigeria’s political history, as one of only two leaders—alongside Olusegun Obasanjo—to have governed the country under both military and civilian rule.
Abbas also pointed to Buhari’s enduring popularity, especially in the North, attributing it to his strict discipline and straightforward character. He praised Buhari’s role in forging an alliance with President Tinubu and others to create the APC, which ended the PDP’s 16-year hold on power in 2015.
“It is painful that after choosing a quiet retirement following his presidency, he now departs for eternal rest,” Abbas remarked.
Extending condolences to Buhari’s family, the Emir of Daura, and the people of Katsina and Kaduna states, the Speaker concluded: “May Allah forgive his shortcomings and grant him Jannatul Firdaus.”
