From Tony John, Port Harcourt
Former Minister of Transportation Chibuike Amaechi has said Nigeria has lost a true democrat in the person of former President Muhammadu Buhari.
The former Nigerian President died in a London hospital on Sunday, July 13, 2025.
Amaechi, who served under Buhari’s government, described the news of the president’s death as “devastating”, saying that his boss was a detribalised leader.
He expressed: “I have been in deep shock since the devastating news of the death of my boss and former President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, President Muhammadu Buhari, broke on Sunday afternoon, July 13, 2025.
“Needless to say, Nigeria has lost a true democrat, a detribalised gentleman whose passion for the betterment of Nigeria was second to none.”
According to the former governor of Rivers State, Buhari was an epitome of humility, humorous, and his leadership was “inspiring.”
Amaechi added that the late president was committed to unity and hated corruption with passion.
He continued: “As someone who was privileged to work very closely with the former President, Buhari was an epitome of humility whose legacy and everything he stood for will find a lasting place in the annals of the country’s history.
“I am already nostalgic about his unwavering commitment to the stability and unity of Nigeria. His sense of patriotism and sincerity of purpose was inspiring. President Muhammadu Buhari was a man whose word at all times was his bond.
“Despite being a retired Army General and a war veteran, President Buhari was meek in the true sense of the word. His leadership quality was inspiring, yet he was a very humorous personality.
“I personally regret his passing because the coming generation would have seen him as a great source of inspiration to draw lessons from his leadership style. I wish younger Nigerians would learn from his modest lifestyle and his uncompromising integrity.
“He was one leader who hated corruption with passion. He never accumulated wealth by using his privileged position, as is common among some leaders today.
“While we continue to mourn his painful passing, let me join millions of his admirers and other well-meaning citizens of the world to condole his bereaved family and Nigerians in general.”