Former Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity to ex-President Muhammadu Buhari, Garba Shehu, has paid a glowing tribute to his late principal, describing him as an incorruptible servant of the people whose life exemplified patriotism, humility, and selflessness.
Buhari passed away on Sunday afternoon at a clinic in London, United Kingdom, where he had been receiving medical care. The death was officially confirmed by Shehu in a statement issued on behalf of the family.
In a post on his verified X handle, Shehu eulogised the former president as “the rarest of individuals to grace political life anywhere in the world,” noting that Buhari was never driven by the pursuit of wealth or power, but by an unwavering commitment to national unity and public service.
“He was a man of unmatched integrity,” Shehu said, “not motivated by pride or riches, but wholly devoted to serving Nigeria and preserving its unity as one nation under God.”
“Muhammadu Buhari was the rarest of individuals to grace political life anywhere in the world: an incorruptible servant of the people. He was not motivated by pride or by riches, the accumulation of which repelled him. He was drawn to public service, discipline, and patriotism, and the unity of Nigeria as a one nation and one idea.”
Shehu said that during his military service, Buhari campaigned to keep Nigeria united and fought to tackle rampant corruption when he held the position of head of state.
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He noted that as a democrat after the return of elections in 1999, Buhari campaigned relentlessly to prevent Nigeria from becoming an elected but corrupted one-party state, adding that without his refusal to back down, there may never have been a true multi-party system in Nigeria.
“Once that unity was achieved, Buhari – who else? – was chosen as the opposition’s flagbearer. In 2015, he became the first candidate to win an election over an incumbent, for Nigeria, the first time power changed hands peacefully between the victor and vanquished.”
The former presidential spokesman recalled that Buhari’s two terms in office coincided with global economic challenges and the threat from terrorism in the Sahel, saying he tackled both by creating welfare programmes and decisively breaking the power of Boko Haram.
According to him, Buhari created ranches for northern herders to protect the livelihoods of southern farmers, saving lives and fostering better relations despite accusations of favouring the north.
He described the former Nigerian leader as a deeply religious man who was the opposite of partisan, noting his choice of a southern pastor as running mate and his regular writings on Christianity and Islam.
Shehu also stated that Buhari struck up a lasting friendship with the Archbishop of Canterbury, sharing tolerance, modesty, and religious fervour.
He said after leaving office, Buhari returned to his farm, stayed out of the public eye, and refrained from political commentary, believing ex-leaders should not intervene in political affairs.
“Muhammadu Buhari led a life full enough for many men. He will be remembered best by his own words: ‘I belong to everybody and I belong to nobody’. He was the best of Nigeria, and we are all less without him.”