The Ogun state governor, Dapo Abiodun, has described the death of former Nigeria President, Muhammadu Buhari as shocking, and devastating to the country.
The former president, who reportedly died while receiving treatment for an undisclosed illness in London, United Kingdom, on Sunday, will be flown back to the country for burial on Tuesday.
In a statement made available to Blueprint, Abiodun said even though death is a bill that all mortals must pay, the death of the former president came as a rude shock.
“Former President Muhammadu Buhari dead? It is hard to process this news at the moment. We had expected, like he did in the past, that he would pull through at this time, but we take profound comfort in the fact that he left great imprints on the sands of time.
“Both as military Head of State and as civilian president, Buhari made accountability his watchword”, he said.
Abiodun described Buhari as a gallant soldier and patriot whose commitment to the Nigerian cause shone through while he held sway as military Head of State, and later as democratically elected president.
As civilian president, Abiodun said Buhari was a scrupulous honest, no-nonsense General who believed that no national progress could be achieved without discipline and accountability.
“Although his time as military Head of State had the usual elements of leadership style that is not acceptable in a democracy, it is significant that Buhari was able to reinvent himself and govern Nigeria for two terms as elected president, recording monumental achievements in infrastructure, from road to rail.
“As a person, he was straightforward, affable, witty, and of a humble disposition. Even his severest critics will readily admit that he did not seek public office for personal gratification.
“President Buhari was particularly fond of Ogun State, where he began his life as a young officer, and was excited to inaugurate and celebrate the achievements of our administration.
“I commiserate with his immediate family, including his beloved wife, Hajia Aisha Buhari, the people and Government of Katsina State, the Daura Emirate, and the Nigerian Army.
“I commiserate with President Bola Tinubu who has lost a friend and comrade in the struggle for a better Nigeria. May Almighty Allah grant him Aljanat Firdaus”, he added.