Former Governor of Ekiti State, Dr Kayode Fayemi, has paid tribute to Nigeria’s former President, Muhammadu Buhari, who died in London on Sunday, describing him as a determined and principled, but often misunderstood leader who was driven by a desire to see Nigeria succeed.
In a statement released on Monday, Fayemi expressed condolences to the Buhari family, the government, the people of Katsina State, and the entire nation, urging Nigerians to support one another during what he called a period of national mourning.
The statement read, “President Buhari’s life was defined by resilience and an unyielding belief in the Nigerian project. He contested and lost multiple presidential elections but never gave up on his commitment to the ideals he believed in. His eventual victory in 2015 and re-election in 2019 were testaments to his perseverance and the trust millions of Nigerians placed in his leadership.”
Fayemi, who served as Minister of Mines and Steel Development under Buhari and chaired the APC Presidential Primary Convention that produced him as the party’s flagbearer in 2014, praised the late president’s focus on infrastructure development, noting, “His administration undertook some of the most ambitious infrastructure projects in recent Nigerian history, including massive road constructions, the revitalisation of rail transport, and the Second Niger Bridge. He believed in building for the future, and his legacy in this regard will long outlive his time in office.”
Acknowledging the complexities of Buhari’s presidency, Fayemi remarked that the former leader was “a fundamentally good man, often misunderstood, yet driven by a genuine desire to see Nigeria succeed.”
“History will be kinder to him than the moment allowed. He faced enormous trials, both as a man and as president, yet remained steadfast in his commitment to Nigeria’s unity and progress,” Fayemi said.
He concluded by calling on Nigerians to carry forward Buhari’s aspirations: “President Buhari has finished his course and fought the good fight. Yet his vision of a stable, united, and prosperous Nigeria remains unfulfilled. It is now our collective responsibility as leaders and citizens to ensure that his dreams for our great nation are realised. We must build upon the foundation he laid and work tirelessly to achieve the Nigeria he envisioned.”
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