Encomium has continued to pour in for the immediate past president of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Muhammadu Buhari who died on Sunday evening at 4.30 in a London clinic. This even as some Nigerians believe he wasted and destroyed Nigeria within eight years of his presidency.

One of the first to pay condolences is former President Goodluck Jonathan, the man who preceded him in office, who said he received the news with sadness.

“It is with a heavy heart and profound sense of national loss that I received the news of the passing of former President Muhammadu Buhari who died at the age of 82.

President Buhari was a notable leader, patriot, and elder statesman who served our beloved nation as both a military Head of State and President, to the best of his abilities. He will be remembered as a courageous leader, a disciplined officer, and a committed public servant who made considerable contributions towards the peace and progress of our dear nation;

The late President was deeply admired across the strata of society for his decency, integrity and exemplary life of service. As a leader, he was selfless in his commitment to his duty and served the country with character and a deep sense of patriotism;

On behalf of my family and the Goodluck Jonathan Foundation, I extend my heartfelt condolences to his immediate family, the good people of Katsina State and all Nigerians who mourn this great loss”.

Next is his number two man, Vice President Yemi Osinbajo.

He said: “Dolapo and I received, with profound sadness, the news of the passing of His Excellency, former President Muhammadu Buhari, this afternoon.

In the moments that followed, we spoke with Her Excellency Aisha Buhari and their son Yusuf Buhari to express our heartfelt condolences and to share in the deep grief of their beloved family—one with whom we had the honour of serving our nation for eight memorable years.

Nigeria has lost a true patriot—a man whose life was marked by unyielding devotion to the nation he loved. President Buhari’s legacy will endure as a testament to the nobility of public service, defined by honesty, discipline, and an unwavering commitment to the public good.

We pray that the Almighty God will grant comfort and strength to his family, and to all who mourn his passing. May his memory always be blessed”.

Also, Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu,  described the death of Buhari as a colossal loss to Nigeria.

Governor Sanwo-Olu, in a condolence message issued on Sunday by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Mr. Gboyega Akosile, said Buhari was a transparent, courageous and honest leader.

Governor Sanwo-Olu described the late former President as a man that truly loved Nigeria and contributed his quota towards her development.

The Governor commiserates with the immediate family of the late President Buhari and President Bola Tinubu over the death of his predecessor. He also sympathize with leaders and members of the ruling party, All Progressives Congress (APC), over the demise of one of the respected founders and leaders of the party.

He said; “He was a courageous, disciplined, respected and passionate leader. His commitment to the growth and development of Nigeria is worthy of emulation because he provided honest and transparent leadership in the country. Former President Buhari demonstrated unparalleled leadership skills, patriotism, and courage in steering the ship of Nigeria. He was a respected leader who served Nigeria passionately in different capacities and leaving with unblemished records.

“He sacrificed the greater part of his life in the service of our dear country. He contributed immensely to the unity, growth and development of Nigeria and served passionately as Military Governor, Minister of Petroleum Resources, Head of State, and President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and Commander -in- Chief of the Armed Forces”.

Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun also expressed profound shock at the demise of former President Buhari, saying that the news of the transition of the former military and civilian leader left him devastated.

He 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 a democratically elected president, adding that his civilian presidency was enabled by his record as a scrupulously honest, no-nonsense General who believed that no national progress could be achieved without discipline and accountability.

He said: “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 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. Although his time as military Head of State had the usual elements of leadership style that are 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 roads 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”,he said.

Former Nigeria’s High Commissioner to the United Kingdom Ambassador Sarafa Tunji Isola said Buhari was a statesman of remarkable conviction, whose life was defined by an unwavering commitment to Nigeria’s unity, progress, and security.

He said: “His departure is not just  a national loss; it is a historical punctuation. His life traversed decades of military and democratic governance, yet his persona remained consistent — marked by uncompromising integrity, personal simplicity, and a profound belief in national unity. His tenure as President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria from 2015 to 2023 was characterized by bold efforts to tackle corruption, strengthen national institutions, and advance infrastructural development. His leadership, rooted in integrity and discipline, inspired many and set a standard for public service.

It was during his administration that I had the privilege and honor to serve as Nigeria’s High Commissioner to the United Kingdom from 2021 to 2023. In that role, I witnessed first-hand the quiet resolve with which President Buhari engaged international diplomacy — firm in his conviction, yet humble in his approach” he said further.

Senior lawyer, Dr Wahab Shittu SAN said Buhari left a legacy of simplicity.

“With his death, expectedly tributes extolling his virtues and failings will start pouring in. One attribute that no one can take away from the former leader was his simplicity. He maintained a simple lifestyle in and out of office throughout. Ultimately, he understood the philosophy that we came with this world with nothing and will exit the planet with nothing. His dress sense and life was very simple”.

Dr Shittu added: “He was lucky to rule Nigeria both as military president and democratically elected leader.He shared this strategic position only with the former President Olusegun Obasanjo. His simple lifestyle was only comparable to the late President Umar Musa Yar’adua. Both carried on in and outside office with simplicity devoid of arrogance or any airs.

The other trait that the late leader had was his cult following, particularly in Northern Nigeria.  Other than the late Sardauna of Sokoto, l doubt whether there is any leader in history who commanded such massive cult-like following  particularly in Northern Nigeria.How the late leader was able to amass such massive Northern following ought to engage the attention of researchers and historians”.

However, it was not all encomium for the former president as several other Nigerians believed he caused the people too much pain, death and destruction.

Human rights activist and lawyer, Eze Onyekpere on his Facebook page said: “Now that Buhari is dead, how are we supposed to remember him? To eulogize him, pray for him and ask God to forgive his shortcomings or ask God to give him his fair judgement? To have the opportunity to rule a country once is an opportunity less that 0.0001 percent of the world population get. To get a second chance and still mess it up is a grievous  crime against humanity. In the first term as a soldier, he shot and killed young Nigerians based on a retroactive decree. In the second chance as a civilian, he presided over the most corrupt, incompetent, repugnant and divisive government in Nigeria. I have always prayed to God to give me the opportunity to grow old into the 70s and 80s, which will be an opportunity to make amends for the sins of my youth, not an opportunity to commit new sins and become impervious to reason. Buhari had his opportunity and decided to double down against Nigerians, presiding over massacres and serial violations of the rights of Nigerians to a decent life. It is up to God to judge him”.

A presidential aspirant, and leader, Omoyele Sowore believed that Buhari’s tenure was a waste. “As President of Nigeria, Muhammadu Buhari was a total waste of space! 8 years of terrible policies, deepened poverty, weaponized insecurity, and hollow leadership. He promised change, but delivered catastrophe;

“Muhammadu Buhari slaughtered hundreds of Shiites, men, women and even children. He ordered soldiers of the HQ Nigerian Army to open fire on peaceful #EndSARS protesters waving the Nigerian flag. He “disappeared” Dadiyata. He ordered the massacre of young Southeasterners he branded IPOB. He disobeyed court orders, jailed critics arbitrarily, destroyed the economy, and ruined everything he touched. And now, because he’s dead, some people with selective memory want us to mourn or worship him?

Shameful.

NO, we do not mourn tyrants. We remember their victims”, he concluded.

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