Former Head of State, General Yakubu Gowon, has recalled how political alliance between late President Muhammadu Buhari and his successor, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu led was reciprocated, leading to emergence of the two political figures as President of Nigeria.
Specifically, the former Head of State said the late President Buhari, as he was preparing to leave office, “gave his full support to Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu to succeed him as President.”
Speaking Monday in Abuja at the 1st year remembrance occasion of the late President Muhammadu Buhari, the elder stateman Gowon also recalled how he personally reached out to late Buhari at a time he (Gowon) could not afford to pay school fees of his children in the United Kingdom.
According to him, President Buhari cared for people. During his time in office, he worked for all Nigerians, not just for the North. Some people believed he governed only for the North, but that was not the case. He ensured that every state and every part of the country was treated fairly and equally. That remains to his credit.
“My relationship with General Buhari goes back many years. We served together as soldiers, and all of us did our best to keep this country united. I knew him as a gallant soldier and as a man who earned respect.
“Later, after our retirement from the military, General Buhari decided to go into politics. He did his best to seek political leadership that would support his ambition to become President. He contested several times but was unsuccessful.
“However, when he joined hands with Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, they formed a strong political alliance. The support he received from Asiwaju Tinubu certainly helped him to emerge as President. Their partnership remained strong throughout his administration.
“As President, Buhari prepared to leave office, he gave his full support to Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu to succeed him as President. I remember clearly how committed President Buhari was to ensuring that Tinubu received the same support that Tinubu had given him during his own presidential journey.
“This is something for which we must give President Buhari credit. He stood firmly behind President Tinubu so that he could continue serving Nigeria and do his best for the country, just as Buhari himself sought to do.
“I would like to say that President Buhari did his best for Nigeria. His sense of integrity and fairness knew no bounds.
“On a personal note, while I was in the United Kingdom, I found myself without the means to pay my children’s school fees. I appealed to him, and he ensured that my family received assistance to pay those school fees.”
While describing General Buhari as a leader who placed the interests of Nigeria above personal or regional interests, he added: “I am also pleased that the support President Tinubu gave him eventually made it possible for President Tinubu himself to lead Nigeria.”
In his remarks, Kastina state governor, who was represented by his deputy, Mallam Faruk Lawal Jobe, said the people of Katsina state remain immensely proud of the life he lived, the values he represented and the enduring legacy he left behind.
According to him, late President Muhammadu Buhari belonged to that rare generation of leaders whose personal integrity became synonymous with public service.
“Throughout his military and civilian careers, he remained steadfast in his commitment to discipline, honesty, accountability, patriotism and national unity.
“Whether one agreed with all his policies or not, no one could reasonably question his sincerity of purpose, his simplicity of lifestyle and his unwavering commitment to the Nigerian project. He firmly believed that leadership was a sacred trust and that public office exists to serve the people rather than personal interests.
“His administration pursued critical reforms in infrastructure development, agriculture, social investment, anti-corruption, security and institutional strengthening. Under his leadership, Nigeria witnessed unprecedented investment in rail transportation, road construction, airport rehabilitation, power infrastructure and agricultural interventions aimed at achieving greater food security and economic resilience.
“Beyond these tangible achievements, President Buhari gave Nigeria something equally valuable—an enduring example of modesty in leadership. Despite occupying the highest office in the land, he remained accessible, disciplined and remarkably humble. His personal lifestyle consistently reflected the values he preached, earning him admiration both within Nigeria and across the international community.
“His passing one year ago created a vacuum that cannot easily be filled. We lost not only a distinguished statesman but also a father figure whose counsel, wisdom and patriotic guidance were invaluable to our nation.”
The governor stated that the best tribute Nigerian can pay to the late President one year after his death” is not merely through speeches, monuments or commemorative events. Rather, it is by embracing the principles that guided his life.”
He called on leaders at all levels to” “commit themselves to integrity over expediency, service over self-interest, justice over favouritism and national unity over division.
“As leaders, we must recommit ourselves to transparency and accountability in governance. As public servants, we must remember that public office is a trust to be exercised with humility and responsibility. As citizens, we must place the collective interest of Nigeria above sectional or personal considerations. As a nation, we must continue to build bridges of understanding, peaceful coexistence and mutual respect among our diverse peoples.”
In his welcome address, Chairman, Central Organising Committee and former Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Boss Mustapha, said the occasion was to reflect on a life of service and to preserve for future generations the memory of a man who devoted much of his adult life to the service of Nigeria.
“His passing came as a profound shock to the nation and elicited an extraordinary outpouring of grief across Nigeria, Africa, and many parts of the world. The depth of that affection and respect is reflected in the Book of Tributes and Condolences that shall formally be presented at this memorial event.
“His funeral in Daura brought together his successor, His Excellency President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, former Presidents and former Heads of State, delegations from friendly nations and international organisations, elected public officials, traditional rulers, religious leaders, and representatives of diverse groups and communities from across Nigeria.
“It also drew an overwhelming number of ordinary Nigerians, young and old, men and women, including many of the poor and vulnerable, whose welfare always occupied a special place in his heart.”
The event had in attendance Vice President Kashim Shettima, who stood in for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, former First Lady, Aisha Buhari, former Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Boss Mustapha; former National Chairmen of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Abdullahi Adamu and Umar Ganduje; and governors including AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq of Kwara State, Dapo Abiodun of Ogun State, Babagana Zulum of Borno State, Bala Mohammed of Bauchi State and Malam Umar Namadi of Jigawa State, among others.
Others included former and serving ministers such as Muhammad Badaru Abubakar, Simon Lalong, Chukwuemeka Nwajiuba and Rauf Aregbesola; former Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Usman Baba; former Chief of Defence Staff, Lucky Irabor; former Chief of Army Staff, Tukur Yusufu Buratai; and senators including Adeleke Olorunnimbe Mamora and Ahmed Lawan, among many other dignitaries.