Buhari’s integrity gave hope to millions of Nigerians, says Tunde Bakare

Tunde Bakare, serving overseer of Citadel Global Community Church, has paid a tribute to the late former President Muhammadu Buhari.

Buhari died on Sunday in a London clinic, aged 82.

In a statement on Monday, Bakare reflected on Buhari’s “extremely impactful life”, describing him as a dear elder statesman and compatriot.

He recalled their first encounter in 1985, noting that Buhari’s policy interventions at the time paved the way for his own career as a young lawyer.

“This was a man whose integrity and discipline gave hope to millions of Nigerians across the length and breadth of our nation,” he wrote.

“This was a man with a dream of a New Nigeria — a dream he lived for; a dream he worked tirelessly towards from his youth; a dream he pursued persistently despite the challenges he encountered; a dream I had the privilege of teaming up with him in his tireless quest to fulfill; a dream that brought tears to his eyes; a dream, the heart of which he shared with me in intimate conversations — a dream that revealed the soul of a man whose lifelong desire was to make life better for the ordinary Nigerian.”

He described Buhari as “a colossus whom there can hardly be a replacement”.

Bakare prayed that history would be kind to Buhari and that the Nigeria of his dreams would emerge “even after you have departed.”

“I express my deep condolences to his beloved wife, former First Lady, Aisha Buhari, and to his children and grandchildren. May God, the husband of the widow and the father of the fatherless, fill the void,” the statement reads.

“And to our dear nation, Nigeria, may God be our strength and comfort in this solemn season.”