Gbajabiamala said Buhari refused pressure to use a position to weaken the legislature

The Chief of Staff for the President of the Tinubu Bola, Femi Gbajabiamila, has paid respect to the former President of Muhammadu Buhari, described it as a principle statesman who strengthened the independence of the National Assembly during his term of office.

In a statement shared on his official account X (previously Twitter) on Wednesday, Gbajabiamila said he was very sad by the death of the former president, who died on Sunday at a London clinic after a prolonged illness. Buhari was buried on Tuesday at his residence in Daura, Katsina State.

Expressing condolences, Gbajabiamila described the late leader as “a friend and father of father,” praising his eternal heritage of “dignity, integrity, and tenacity.”

“He is a statesman who occupies a unique place in the soul and history of the country that he loves and served for more than sixty years,” wrote the former speaker of the House of Representatives.

Although Buhari’s death was unexpected because of his declining health, Gbajabiamila said the loss was still very pronounced.

“This is where we, a country that mourn, surprised by the loss that we can pay attention to but can never be prepared. Because Muhammadu Buhari, Soldiers, Administrators, and Politicians, have become part of our national awareness so that it seems impossible to imagine other reality,” he said.

Reflecting the time they worked together during his term of office as a speaker, Gbajabiamila told how Buhari was strongly against the pressure of political actors who were trying to manipulate the presidency to weaken the legislature.

“Throughout the intrigue many people try to use it and his office to damage parliament for political interests, he stands beside me,” he said.

“When this intrigue became a disturbance and I went to him, he convinced me that only national interests were important for him, and that as long as I continued to serve that interest, I would get his support.”

According to Gbajabiamila, Buhari’s unwavering attitude allows a period of stability and legislative independence during the ninth national assembly.

“This is also a legacy, and that is indeed a decent inheritance,” he stressed.

While acknowledging that the former president was not without shortcomings, Gbajabiamila said Buhari remained honored and respected for decades in public life.

“For decades in the eyes of the public, he made mistakes, and his imperfections were inevitable by being in full view. That is the price of public life,” he said.

“However, regardless of his mistakes, one thing is always certain – he is a honorable and dignified man, a good soldier and statesman who loves his country with enthusiasm.”

He expressed his condolences to former First Lady Aisha Buhari and the entire Buhari family, urged them to find comfort in the life of the service and beliefs of the deceased’s President.

“To all friends and supporters throughout the country, let us continue the work of serving our nation so that with our joint efforts, we can achieve the goals of a nation peacefully, prosperous outside our dreams,” Gbajabiamila concluded. “This is the highest award that we can pay to the thin general and the great statesman of our country.”