Premium News
BUHARI’S MINISTERS, OFFICIALS DIDN’T DO WELL WHEN HE WAS IN OFFICE – ABDULSALAMI
Former Nigerian Head of State, General Abdulsalami Abubakar, has said that many officials who served under the late President Muhammadu Buhari failed to meet the standards he expected during his administration, despite his commitment to discipline and the fight against corruption.
Abdulsalami, speaking in London following Buhari’s death after a brief illness, described the late president as a sincere and trustworthy man whose legacy will remain etched in Nigeria’s history.
“We were in the same hospital,” Abdulsalami revealed. “Unfortunately, I had just been discharged when I heard the news of his death. I quickly returned to see the family and support efforts to prepare his body for the journey home.”
Buhari died at 82 in a London clinic and is expected to be buried under national protocol. His death has drawn a wave of tributes across political and military circles.
Abdulsalami, who led Nigeria’s transition from military to civilian rule in 1999, traced his relationship with Buhari back to the early 1960s.
“My relationship with General Buhari dates as far back as 1962,” he said. “We joined the military at the same time, and he was my senior. During the civil war, we served in the same sector.”
He described Buhari as quiet, deeply principled, and incorruptible.
“You could trust Buhari with anything on this earth, and he would not betray you,” he said. “As a military ruler, he introduced the War Against Indiscipline to restore order. Nigerians were more respectful and society was more orderly under that regime.”
On Buhari’s return to power in 2015 as a democratically elected president, Abdulsalami said the late leader maintained his stance on fighting corruption and instilling order, but was let down by several members of his government.
“During his democratic tenure, he tried his best to fight corruption again,” he said. “Unfortunately, most of the officers who served with him were found wanting. They didn’t do as much as he expected of them.”
Abdulsalami said Buhari’s death was “a big blow to Nigeria,” noting the gravity of the loss and the symbolic importance of his passing.
“President Tinubu has asked the Vice President to accompany the body back to Nigeria. That alone shows you the magnitude of this loss,” he added.
Buhari’s life, Abdulsalami said, was defined by duty, loyalty, and a desire to instil national values and qualities Nigeria must not forget.
“Despite his quiet nature, he was strong in character and consistent in principle. We have lost a patriot who tried to make Nigeria better. His death is not just a loss to his family but to the entire nation.”
The president would be buried on Tuesday, while arrangements are expected to be announced by the federal government in consultation with the family. National flags continue to fly at half-mast as condolences pour in from across the world.
