President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Thursday evening presided over a solemn Special Session of the Federal Executive Council (FEC) in honour of Nigeria’s former President, Muhammadu Buhari, who passed away on Sunday in London after battling an undisclosed illness.
The commemorative meeting, which held at the Council Chambers of the Presidential Villa in Abuja, was attended by members of the Federal Executive Council, who joined the President in paying final respects to the late statesman. The development was confirmed by Tinubu’s Special Assistant on Social Media, Dada Olusegun, in a post on X (formerly Twitter).
“A Life of Quiet Greatness and Enduring Integrity” — Tinubu Pays Emotional Tribute
In his address during the session, President Tinubu delivered a moving eulogy, reflecting on the personal virtues and public legacy of his late predecessor and longtime political ally.
“Today, we gather under a heavy shadow drawn not only from the silence left behind by a fallen leader but also from the sheer magnitude of his impact,” Tinubu began.
“We come together to honour a man whose presence once commanded this chamber, whose voice inspired conviction, and whose values never swayed even when the winds of public opinion blew hardest.”
Tinubu painted Buhari as a man of rare character resolute in duty, modest in lifestyle, and morally unshakeable in public service.
“He was the first among soldiers during wartime, a patriot in peacetime, and a symbol of simplicity in his private moments,” Tinubu said.
“He was pious without exhibition, just without cruelty, humane without sentimentality. His was a quiet righteousness that spoke louder than slogans.”
A Bond Forged in the Struggles of Democracy
Tinubu recalled the pivotal alliance he and Buhari formed in the lead-up to the historic 2015 general elections, when, under the All Progressives Congress (APC) platform, they helped engineer Nigeria’s first democratic transition of power from an incumbent party to an opposition party.
“We stood side by side drawn from different regions, languages, and ideologies to forge a national coalition that changed the course of Nigeria’s political history,” he said.
“When Buhari was sworn in as our party’s first elected president, he led with restraint, governed with dignity, and bore the burden of leadership without complaint.”
Tinubu acknowledged that, like all leaders, Buhari had his flaws. However, he maintained that Buhari’s dedication to integrity, anti-corruption, and national service remained unmatched.
“He may not have been a perfect man none of us are but he was a good man. An honourable man. A man whose moral compass never wavered,” Tinubu noted.
“The world will debate his record, as it should. But the incorruptible example he set will stand the test of time.”
A Nation in Mourning
The special FEC session was initially scheduled to take place on Tuesday but was postponed to accommodate the arrangements for Buhari’s state funeral and burial in Daura, Katsina State, which occurred that same day.
Buhari’s death sent shockwaves across the country and beyond, triggering a wave of condolences from global leaders, regional blocs, and citizens who remembered his legacy as a disciplined military ruler-turned-democrat and a two-term civilian president.
President Tinubu’s tribute emphasized the enduring values Buhari represented discipline, patriotism, and service urging current and future leaders to take inspiration from his life.
“His journey has ended, but his ideals must live on,” Tinubu concluded.
“May Allah grant him eternal rest and may Nigeria always remember the sacrifice of one of her finest sons.”
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