CHIEF of Staff to President Bola Tinubu and former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila, has paid glowing tribute to the late former President Muhammadu Buhari, describing him as a principled leader who stood firm in protecting the independence of the Nigerian legislature during a politically turbulent era.
In a heartfelt statement issued on Wednesday in Abuja, Gbajabiamila recounted his personal and political relationship with Buhari, praising the former president for resisting pressure from within his own administration to interfere with the workings of the National Assembly.
“From the moment I received news of former President Muhammadu Buhari’s death, I was overwhelmed with profound grief, recognising a loss too deep for words,” he wrote.
“I considered President Buhari not only a friend but also a father figure. He embodied dignity, integrity, and unwavering resolve, always following through on commitments to himself, his family, his associates, and our nation.”
Buhari, who passed away on Sunday, July 13, at age 82 in a London hospital, served as Nigeria’s president from 2015 to 2023.
Reflecting on their time in public office, Gbajabiamila said Buhari played a crucial role in shielding the National Assembly particularly the House of Representatives from internal power plays during the 9th Assembly (2019–2023), when Gbajabiamila served as Speaker.
“As speaker, I enjoyed President Buhari’s unflinching support amid persistent attempts by some to use his office to undermine the parliament for political gain,” he revealed.
“When these challenges became a distraction, I went to him. He assured me that only the national interest mattered and pledged his support as long as I continued to serve that cause.
“True to his word, he resisted efforts to destabilise the House and, in doing so, ushered in a period of stability that allowed the National Assembly to focus on policy innovation and meaningful service to the Nigerian people.”
Gbajabiamila acknowledged that Buhari, like every public figure, had his flaws, but insisted that the former president’s sense of duty and integrity outweighed his shortcomings.
“Like any public figure, he was not infallible,” Gbajabiamila noted. “Over decades in the public eye, his mistakes were magnified. But he remained an honourable and dignified man, a fine soldier and a passionate patriot.”
He described working closely with Buhari as one of the greatest honours of his life and urged Nigerians to uphold the values the late leader stood for discipline, service, and unity.
Concluding his tribute, Gbajabiamila extended condolences to Buhari’s widow, Mrs. Aisha Buhari, his children, and the wider Buhari family.
“My family and I extend our condolences to Her Excellency, Mrs. Aisha Buhari, the children, and the wider Buhari family. May they find comfort in the profound accomplishments of President Buhari and the enduring lessons of tenacity, dignity, and grace that he embodied.”
“To all his friends and supporters across the country, let us continue the work of building a nation at peace and prosperous beyond our dreams.
“That is the greatest tribute we can pay to our lanky general and great statesman.”
“May Allah grant him Aljannah Firdaus and forever comfort his family,” he concluded.