The Minister of Works, Senator David Umahi, has paid glowing tribute to Nigeria’s former President, Muhammadu Buhari, describing him as a man of discipline, integrity, and unwavering commitment to national unity and development.
Umahi made the remarks on Wednesday, July 17, 2025, while signing the condolence register at the Federal Ministry of Works headquarters in Mabushi, Abuja.
The Minister praised the former President’s legacy, both as a former military Head of State and two-term democratically elected leader, noting that his contributions had left a lasting mark on the nation’s political and infrastructural landscape.
“I personally believed that such a man with so much discipline, integrity, honesty, and selfless service to humanity would live up to 100 years,” Umahi said in an emotion-laden tribute.
Recalling his personal relationship with Buhari, Umahi, a former Governor of Ebonyi State, shared fond memories of their interactions, including regular gifts of Abakaliki rice which the former President enjoyed even after leaving office.
“He called me and said he was missing Abakaliki rice. That’s the kind of bond we had,” the Minister recalled.
He also expressed gratitude for Buhari’s support during his time as governor, stating, “I can’t forget how he stood by us, even when certain forces tried to stop the emergence of the present Governor of Ebonyi State.
“He intervened directly by calling the national chairman of our party and insisted it had to be the current Governor.”
Umahi recounted Buhari’s memorable visit to Ebonyi State, where the former President commissioned projects from morning until late evening.
“While I was escorting him to his room, he joked, ‘Governor, you know how to punish someone,” Umahi said, describing the late leader as humorous and humble.
He also praised Buhari’s selflessness, citing the renaming of the Ebonyi airport, originally named after Buhari after the late Senator Chuba Okadigbo, “That’s who he was, always thinking of others,” he said.
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The Minister expressed deep sorrow at Buhari’s passing, describing it as a great loss to the nation.
He extended his condolences to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the family and associates of the late President, and all Nigerians.
Umahi also commended President Tinubu for the respect and recognition he accorded his predecessor.
“President Buhari himself acknowledged during the second-year anniversary of President Tinubu’s administration that the current President helped him to actualize his destiny of becoming Nigeria’s leader,” he noted.
He prayed for fortitude for all Nigerians to bear the loss, saying the former President would be deeply missed.