A former aide to former President Muhammadu Buhari, Bashir Ahmad, has described the late Nigerian leader as a fatherly figure whose memory will remain a personal treasure to those who worked closely with him.
Former President Buhari died today (Sunday) afternoon at a clinic in London, United Kingdom, where he had been receiving medical attention.
His death was confirmed in a statement issued by his former spokesman, Garba Shehu, on behalf of the family.
Ahmad, in a statement on X, said the late President combined firmness with humility and quiet humour.
He noted that behind his image as a disciplined leader was a man of warmth who guided his aides with a fatherly hand.
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He wrote: “Our Baba. He would make the joke and join us in the laughter. That was our Baba Buhari.
“Behind the image of a firm and disciplined leader was a man of warmth, humility and quiet humour. He took us not just as aides, but as his children. He guided us with a fatherly hand. Baba didn’t need to raise his voice to command respect; his character did that on its own.
“We will miss his presence. We will miss his words, which are always measured, wise and rooted in truth. We will miss his leadership — calm in chaos, firm in storms and always anchored in principle.
“For those of us who walked closely with him, who learned at his feet, who saw the man beyond the title, his memory is a personal treasure. A treasure we will carry in our hearts for the rest of our lives. Goodbye, Baba!”
A video attached to the tribute showed the late President during an interview, laughing heartily when reminded that he had only 20 minutes left.
Buhari responded, thanking the interviewer for the reminder, jokingly asking them to come and remove their gadget, before exclaiming “Oh my good God” and standing up sharply in his characteristic military manner.