President Bola Tinubu on Monday committed to carrying forward the governing style he ascribed to the late former President Muhammadu Buhari: discipline, ethics, security-first government, and social justice.
He stated that the most fitting memorial to the late Nigerian leader would be to carry on his legacy with tangible outcomes.
Speaking at the State House in Abuja during the launch of Dr. Charles Omole’s From Soldier to Statesman: The Legacy of Muhammadu Buhari, the president framed Buhari’s legacy as a standard that his administration will consciously maintain.
“These are the pillars of his legacy. But a legacy is given greater meaning when those who follow choose to continue what has been started. That is my duty today,” he said.
Tinubu added, “President Buhari loved this country consistently, morning after morning, decision after decision, staying true to the oath he took.
“That is why even those who disagreed with him often acknowledged his honesty.”
In his remarks, Tinubu paid respects to the Buhari family.
He described the former leader as one who “embodied quiet strength, discipline, and an enduring grace rooted in service,” and told Buhari’s widow, Aisha, and her household that “the Buhari name will continue to inspire noble service for generations.”
The president said the value of Buhari’s leadership is in the trust he left behind.
“The measure of a leader is not simply the offices he held or the motorcades that accompanied him.
“It is what persists when the sirens fall silent. President Muhammadu Buhari left behind a reputation for integrity, a spartan lifestyle, and the belief that public office is a trust and not a windfall,” he noted.
He reflected on their political relationship, which resulted in a watershed transformation in 2015.
“Together, we built a broad coalition, campaigned across the country, and proved that Nigeria could chart a new course,” he noted, adding that their alliance “reshaped Nigeria’s political landscape” by unseating an incumbent.
“The coalition we built in 2014 is now the fastest-growing political party in Africa today. Its growth continues,” he said.
Tinubu applauded the book’s intent to chronicle both the high points and imperfections of the Buhari persona.
“This book reinforces the public’s memory.
“It outlines achievements and flaws, as all honest histories should.
“It should motivate future leaders to learn lessons rather than repeat slogans,” he stated.
The Nigerian leader distilled Buhari’s legacy into four pillars and tied each to current pursuits of his administration.
“First, humility. He believed that a leader must first discipline himself before he can discipline a system.
“He recognized that security is the foundation of citizenship and prosperity and pushed for reforms that endured beyond the headlines.
“Long-term thinking, constructing bridges, restoring railways, building roads, modernizing our airports, and renewing critical infrastructure, while prioritizing maintenance and sustainability,” said Tinubu.
On social justice, he said, “targeted social investments to ensure that the state did not ignore the poor and vulnerable.”
Tinubu emphasized that cooperation across divides is strength, not weakness.
“Our political journey together taught me that cooperation across differences is not weakness; it is wisdom.
“Nation-building demands that we compete passionately and govern responsibly.
“President Buhari understood that the contest ends when the oath begins,” he noted.
Tinubu advocated for a politics based on results and prudence, saying, “Nigeria is greater than any tribe, language, faith, or political party.”
Tinubu advocated for a politics based on results and prudence, saying, “Nigeria is greater than any tribe, language, faith, or political party.”
The President paid his personal respects to his immediate predecessor, stating, “To my dear brother, President Muhammadu Buhari: though you are no longer with us, your impact endures. We will honor and build upon your legacy, not just by invoking your name, but by delivering results with discipline, compassion, and resolve.”
