Senate President Godswill Akpabio has delivered a powerful tribute to the late former President Muhammadu Buhari, describing him as a spartan and disciplined leader who never embezzled public funds during his tenure in office. Speaking at an expanded Federal Executive Council (FEC) session held at the State House, Abuja, on Thursday, Akpabio emphasized Buhari’s legacy of integrity, patriotism, and unwavering loyalty to Nigeria.
Akpabio, who once served as a minister under Buhari, acknowledged the late leader’s steadfast leadership style, noting that even Buhari’s fiercest critics respected his forthrightness and refusal to exploit public office for personal gain.
“President Buhari believed that discipline mattered. That integrity mattered. That leadership, even when lonely, must be anchored in something greater than power,” Akpabio stated.
“He did not seek to ride waves of popular acclaim; he walked, with steadiness and often in solitude, along the ridge of national conscience.”
“Let us be honest, he was tough. He was a soldier who did not flinch under fire, a leader who did not flee from responsibility, and above all, a Nigerian whose loyalty to this nation was never up for sale.”
He added that Buhari’s toughness was born not of pride, but of patriotism, driven by an unrelenting belief that Nigeria, despite its challenges, remains worth fighting for. Akpabio highlighted Buhari’s firm conviction that his service to Nigeria both as a military ruler in the 1980s and as a civilian president from 2015 to 2023 was marked by devotion rather than extravagance or self-enrichment.
The FEC session was attended by top government officials, including ministers, governors, lawmakers, and Buhari’s immediate family, underscoring the respect and solemnity accorded to Buhari’s memory.
Akpabio concluded by asserting that Buhari’s footprint on Nigeria’s political landscape was profound and lasting, urging Nigerians to honour his enduring values of discipline, service, and commitment to nation-building rather than be distracted by partisan criticisms.
This tribute comes as Nigeria continues to mourn Buhari’s death and grapple with debates about his legacy, with Akpabio’s remarks reinforcing the narrative of Buhari as a leader committed to ethical governance and the national interest.