Chief of Staff to President Bola Tinubu, Rt. Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila paid a glowing tribute to the late President Muhammadu Buhari on Wednesday, describing him as a patriotic statesman who resisted pressure from within the presidency to undermine the independence of the National Assembly.
Gbajabiamila, who served as Speaker of the House of Representatives from 2019 to 2023, recalled Buhari’s firm backing during a period marked by intense political machinations, which he said could have destabilised the legislature.
According to him, Buhari’s unwavering support helped safeguard the independence of the House of Representatives, enabling a period of stability and legislative innovation during the 9th 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,” Gbajabiamila said in a heartfelt tribute issued in Abuja.
“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 passed away on Sunday, July 13, in a London hospital following a brief illness. He was 82.
Reflecting on their working relationship, Gbajabiamila recounted how Buhari stood firm amid efforts by some within his administration to manipulate the legislature for political ends.
“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 said.
“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 said the experience of working closely with Buhari remains one of the greatest honours of his public service life.
“Like any public figure, he was not infallible,” he acknowledged. “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 urged Nigerians to honour Buhari’s memory by upholding the values of national service and unity that defined much of his public life.
“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 ended with a solemn prayer:
