By Ismail Abdulaziz, News Agency of Nigeria(NAN)

On July 13, retired Maj.-Gen. Muhammadu Buhari, former President of Nigeria, passed away after the mid-day prayers at a London Clinic at the ripe age of 82.

Many testimonies about his life and times indicate a man of civility, discipline and patriotism not adding his avowed principle of living a Spartan life and commitment to eradication of corruption.

President Bola Tinubu, paid a glowing tribute.

‘’Buhari was to the very core, a patriot, a soldier, a statesman; his legacy of service and sacrifice endures.

“He served Nigeria with unwavering dedication, first as a military leader from January 1984 to August 1985, and later as a democratically elected President from 2015 to 2023; duty, honour, and a deep commitment to the unity and progress of our nation defined his life.

“He stood firm through the most turbulent times, leading with quiet strength, profound integrity, and an unshakable belief in Nigeria’s potential.

“He championed discipline in public service, confronted corruption head-on, and placed the country above personal interest at every turn,’’ the president said.

Similarly, the revered Islamic scholar, Mufti Ismail Menk, said Buhari was an upright man, who never missed his prayers and a very disciplined believer who served his people to the best of his ability.

“His name was synonymous with integrity.

“He was definitely one of those who made me develop a much better perception of Nigerians as a people,’’ he said.

The U.S. Mission in Nigeria also condoled with Nigeria.

“Buhari was a leader whose life was defined by service, discipline, and a commitment to restore integrity to public office.

“His legacy includes his efforts to strengthen Nigeria’s democratic institutions,’’ it said.

The Chinese embassy in Nigeria also expressed its condolences.

‘’We mourn a resolute leader whose unwavering dedication to Nigeria’s unity and progress leaves an enduring legacy.

“His pivotal contributions to advancing China-Nigeria relations will forever remain etched in our shared history,’’ it said.

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo, who was also a former military Head of State like Buhari, said the late president was a comrade, a cool patriot, who as a soldier, played his role.

“As an administrator, he played his role as an administrator; as a statesman, he played his role as a statesman.

“At a time like this, we need the totality of the experience and what I may call statesmanship of all those who have had opportunities to run the affairs of this country to get us out of the situation we are in; he will be sorely missed; may his soul rest in perfect peace,” Obasanjo said.

Tributes have also come in from the Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed Ali, Sierra Leone President Julius Maada Bio as well as World Trade Organisation Director-General Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala.

During his campaign in 2015, something spectacular happened.

The masses of Nigeria decided to contribute their widows’ mites for his success.

What else can a human want than the general believe in his capacity and ability to lead them to the Promised Land?

This singular act was a burden placed on him by the people to rectify the past.

Analysts say the history of Nigeria will be replete with the roles Buhari played during his three terms leading the country.

First, as a military head of state and subsequently, as a democratically elected president between 2015 and 2023.

For history to be kind to him, the testimonies of those around him during his time will shape the final options.

As an elder statesman, Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida once said: “History will be kind to you for taking a decision, but will never be kind to you for not taking a decision.”

Buhari accepted most of the mistakes he took while serving the people as exemplified in one of his statements in the course of his handing over the reign of leadership to President Tinubu.

“Whoever thought that there has been some form of injustice on him we are all humans, there is no doubt I hurt some people, and I wish they would pardon me and those who think that I have hurt them, please pardon me.”

The man that peacefully handed over power to Buhari, former President Goodluck Jonathan, has some comforting words.

‘’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.

‘’In his passing, Nigeria has lost one of its foremost leaders, and I have lost a respected colleague and elder.

“His legacy will continue to endure in the hearts of all who value sacrifice, integrity, perseverance and devotion to national ethos,’’ Jonathan said.

Buhari was born on Dec. 17, 1942 in Daura, Katsina State to Adamu and Zulaiha Buhari.

He was raised by his mother, following the death of his father when he was about four years old; he had his primary school education in Daura and Maidua from 1948 to 1952, before proceeding to Katsina Middle School in 1953.

He joined the Nigerian Army in 1961 when he was admitted to the Nigerian Military Training College, Kaduna.

Buhari underwent the Officer Cadets training at Mons Officer Cadet School in Aldershot, England from 1962 to 1963, and was commissioned as Second Lieutenant in January, 1963.

He attended the Nigerian Military College, Kaduna for the Platoon Commanders’ Course from 1963-1964

Buoyed by a deep sense of patriotism and commitment to national service, Buhari entered politics in 2003, following Nigeria’s return to a democratic dispensation in 1999.

Buhari joined the All Nigeria People’s Party (ANPP) and contested the presidential election on its platform that year.

He lost to the presidential candidate of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) Olusegun Obasanjo.

Undeterred by defeat, Buhari continued his political struggle, and on Dec. 18, 2006, he emerged as the consensus presidential candidate of the ANPP for the 2007 elections.

His main challenger in the April 2007 presidential polls was the ruling PDP candidate, Umaru Yar’Adua.

In the election, Buhari officially scored 18 per cent of the total votes cast, against 70 per cent for Yar’Adua.

In March 2010, Buhari left the ANPP and formed, with some of his supporters, the Congress for Progressive Change (CPC).

Buhari was nominated as the CPC presidential candidate on April 16, 2011 for that year’s general election.

He ran against the then incumbent, President Jonathan of the ruling PDP, Malam Nuhu Ribadu of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), Ibrahim Shekarau of the ANPP, and other candidates of smaller parties.

Using the platform of the CPC, a newly formed party, Buhari was able to garner 12, 214, 853 votes, coming second to Goodluck Jonathan of the Peoples Democratic Party(PDP), who polled 22, 495, 197 votes.

In 2015, under the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Buhari won the presidential elections of March 28, defeating the incumbent Jonathan of PDP.

He was sworn into Office as President, Commander-In Chief of the Armed Forces, and Federal Republic of Nigeria on May 29, 2015.

After eight years in office, Buhari ensured a smooth transition process; in May 29, 2023, he handed over power to President Bola Tinubu who was also elected under the platform of APC in the February, 2023 presidential election.(NANFeatures)

***If used, credit the writer and the News Agency of Nigeria.