Buhari’s Death a National Loss Too Deep for Words — Femi Gbajabiamila

The Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila, has expressed deep sorrow over the passing of former President Muhammadu Buhari, describing the news of his death as a moment of “profound bereavement” and a loss “too deep for words.”

This was revealed in a heartfelt tribute issued by Gbajabiamila on Tuesday, July 16, 2025, in which he paid homage to the late former leader as a father figure, friend, and statesman whose influence shaped the political and historical landscape of Nigeria for more than six decades.

“I considered President Muhammadu Buhari a friend and a father figure. He was a man of dignity and integrity, steadfast in his resolve and tenacious in his determination to follow through on the commitments he made, whether to himself or his associates, family or our nation,” Gbajabiamila wrote. “He was a statesman who occupied a unique place in the psyche and history of a country he loved and served for over sixty years.”

Reflecting on the inevitability of death, Gbajabiamila noted that while life teaches one to expect loss, Buhari’s death remains a shock. “Here we are, a nation in mourning, shocked by a loss we could foresee, but could never be prepared for,” he said, adding that Buhari had been so much a part of Nigeria’s national consciousness that it’s difficult to imagine a future without him.

He recalled his personal relationship with the late President, especially during his tenure as Speaker of the House of Representatives, stating that Buhari’s loyalty never wavered even in the face of political pressure. “When these machinations became a distraction and I went to him, he assured me that only the national interests mattered to him… As was his nature, he remained true to his word and thoroughly resisted those attempts to sabotage the House,” he said.

Gbajabiamila added that this support helped ensure a stable and productive 9th National Assembly. “This, too, is his legacy, and it is a worthy legacy indeed. I am glad that I had the opportunity many times to thank him for his support and to appreciate him for his service to our country,” he said.

Acknowledging that Buhari was not without his flaws, Gbajabiamila noted that the late leader’s imperfections were part of his humanity and a consequence of public life. “Yet, despite his mistakes, one thing was always certain — he was an honourable and dignified man, a fine soldier and statesman who loved his country passionately.”

He urged Nigerians to remember the life Buhari lived and the contributions he made to nation-building, calling on the late president’s family and supporters to take solace in his legacy.

“My family and I extend our condolences to the former first lady of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Mrs Aisha Buhari, the children, and the extended Buhari family for the loss of their patriarch,” Gbajabiamila wrote. “Let us continue the work of serving our nation so that by our joint efforts we may achieve the cause of a nation at peace, prosperous beyond our wildest dreams. This is the highest tribute we can pay to the lanky general and great statesman of our country.”

He concluded his message with a prayer: “May Allah grant him Aljannah Firdaus and comfort his family now and forever.”