‘He was an angel in human flesh’ — Akande visits Buhari’s family in Kaduna

Bisi Akande, pioneer national chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), has described the late former President Muhammadu Buhari as a patriotic leader whose legacy will live on.

Last month, Buhari died in a clinic in London, United Kingdom (UK), at 82.

Speaking on Wednesday during a condolence visit to Buhari’s family in Kaduna, Akande said the late Buhari showed no signs of ill health during their last meeting.

“I first heard that he died when I was abroad. Before then, I met him in Daura after our feast; he was looking robust, healthy, and very strong,” Akande recalled.

“In a joke, I said I was going back to my village. He said he was enjoying his village in Daura. When he moved to Kaduna, I planned to visit him here, and then I heard he had travelled.”

Akande, who led a delegation of political associates on the condolence visit, said the news of Buhari’s death came as a shock while he was outside the country.

“When I returned, I felt the first thing I should do was come and meet the family, commiserate with them and pray with them. That is what I have come here to do today,” he said.

Akande said Buhari was a rare leader who served Nigeria with distinction, adding that he was patriotic and “maybe he was an angel in human flesh”.

“He was a great Nigerian… maybe he was an angel coming in human flesh. He has done his bid, and he had passed,” he said.

“His spirit will continue to live forever because of the good works he did.”

The former governor of Osun added that Buhari’s spirit would continue to live on because of the good work he did for Nigeria.

The condolence delegation included Abu Ibrahim, Sunday Dare, presidential aide; Mahmud Abdullahi, APC chieftain; Silas Agara, director-general of the National Directorate of Employment (NDE); Mohammed Yakubu, the convener of the Arewa Think Tank.

The delegation was received by Aisha Buhari, the former first lady, and Yusuf Buhari, the late president’s son.

Yusuf thanked Akande and the delegation for the support and expressed gratitude to President Bola Tinubu for the honour accorded to his father through a befitting burial.

“We are grateful to President Tinubu for standing with us and giving our father the honour he deserved. We also appreciate all Nigerians for their prayers, messages, and visits. The support we have received has been overwhelming,” he said.

Yusuf assured that the family would continue to uphold the values of integrity, discipline, and service exemplified by the late president.