Senate President Godswill Akpabio has praised former President Muhammadu Buhari, describing him as a leader defined by integrity and self-discipline who never misappropriated public funds.
Akpabio made the remarks during an expanded Federal Executive Council (FEC) session held at the State House in Abuja on Thursday in honour of Buhari.
Reflecting on the former president’s time in office, Akpabio lauded his personal discipline and unwavering commitment to public service.
“President Buhari believed that discipline mattered. That integrity mattered. That leadership, even when lonely, must be anchored in something greater than power,” Akpabio said.
The Senate President, who once served as a minister under Buhari, said even those critical of Buhari acknowledged his principled stance and incorruptible record.
“He did not seek to ride waves of popular acclaim; he walked, with steadiness and often in solitude, along the ridge of national conscience,” he added.
Akpabio described the former president as a resilient leader who remained devoted to Nigeria under both military and civilian rule.
“Let us be honest, he was tough. He was a soldier who did not flinch under fire, a leader who did not flee from responsibility, and above all, a Nigerian whose loyalty to this nation was never up for sale,” he said.
“His toughness was born not of pride, but of patriotism, a fierce, unrelenting belief that Nigeria, with all its challenges, was still worth fighting for.”
Recalling Buhari’s decades of service to the country, Akpabio concluded:
“Whether in khaki or agbada, he remained firm in his belief that Nigeria was worth fighting for.”
