Former Head of State, General Abdulsalami Abubakar, has expressed disappointment in the performance of many top officials who served under the late President Muhammadu Buhari, saying they fell short of the expectations Buhari set during his administration.
Speaking in London following Buhari’s death after a brief illness, Abdulsalami described the former president as a sincere and incorruptible leader whose legacy of discipline and national service will endure.
“We were in the same hospital,” Abdulsalami revealed, adding, “Unfortunately, I had just been discharged when I heard the news of his death. I quickly returned to see the family and support efforts to prepare his body for the journey home.”
Buhari, who died at 82 in a London clinic, will be buried under full national protocol. His passing has triggered an outpouring of tributes across political, military, and diplomatic circles.
Abdulsalami recounted a decades-long relationship with Buhari, tracing their bond back to their military enlistment in the early 1960s.
“My relationship with General Buhari dates as far back as 1962,” he said. “We joined the military at the same time, and he was my senior. During the civil war, we served in the same sector.”
Describing Buhari as “quiet, deeply principled, and incorruptible,” Abdulsalami said, “You could trust Buhari with anything on this earth, and he would not betray you.”
He praised Buhari’s introduction of the War Against Indiscipline during his military rule, noting its positive impact on national behaviour and social order.
Upon Buhari’s return as a democratically elected president in 2015, Abdulsalami noted that he upheld the same values—particularly his fight against corruption—but lamented that his efforts were undermined by those in his inner circle.
“During his democratic tenure, he tried his best to fight corruption again. Unfortunately, most of the officers who served with him were found wanting. They didn’t do as much as he expected of them.”
Calling his death “a big blow to Nigeria,” Abdulsalami acknowledged the symbolic weight of Buhari’s passing. “President Tinubu has asked the Vice President to accompany the body back to Nigeria. That alone shows you the magnitude of this loss,” he added.
He closed his tribute by affirming Buhari’s lifelong dedication to national service.
“Despite his quiet nature, he was strong in character and consistent in principle. We have lost a patriot who tried to make Nigeria better. His death is not just a loss to his family but to the entire nation.”
