Nigerian President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has vowed to honour and build upon the former President, Mohammed Buhari’s legacy—not just by invoking his name, but by delivering results with discipline, compassion, and resolve.
Tinubu who made the vow at the launch of the former President’s biography in Abuja on Monday celebrated the late President Buhari, as a leader who embodied quiet strength, discipline, and an enduring grace rooted in service.
According to him, “The measure of a leader is not simply the offices he held or the motorcades that accompanied him. It is what persists when the sirens fall silent”.
Tinubu stated that President Muhammadu Buhari left behind a reputation for integrity, a spartan lifestyle, and the belief that public office is a trust and not a windfall.
Reflecting on the enduring pillars of the late President Buhari’s legacy, Tinubu mentioned first, humility, revealing that Buhari preferred simplicity over ornamentation.
He added that Buhari believed that a leader must first discipline himself before he can discipline a system, lived modestly, and carried the dignity of that modesty into power.
Secondly security, the President said the former President recognised security as foundation of citizenship and prosperity, adding that Buhari invested in platforms and personnel, improved capacities across the armed services, and pushed for reforms that endured beyond the headlines.
Thirdly vision, Tinubu said Buhari understood the importance of long-term thinking, constructing bridges, restoring railways, building roads, modernising the Nation’s airports, and renewing critical infrastructure —while prioritising maintenance and sustainability.
Lastly, social justice, the President revealed that Buhari believed in targeted social investments to ensure that the state did not ignore the poor and vulnerable.
“These are the pillars of his legacy. But a legacy is given greater meaning when those who follow choose to continue what has been started. That is my duty”, Tinubu vowed.
He stated that the late President Buhari loved this country consistently, morning after morning, decision after decision, staying true to the oath he took which is why those who disagreed with him often acknowledged his honesty.
Speaking on the political journey together, the President acknowledged that the late President taught him that cooperation across differences is not weakness; it is wisdom, nation-building demand competing passionately and governing responsibly.According to him, “I stand here not just as President, but as a brother, friend, and political partner who shared a journey with President Buhari through challenging times.
“Together, we built a broad coalition, campaigned across the country, and proved that Nigeria could chart a new course. Our movement united diverse interests and achieved a historic victory in 2015 by unseating an incumbent president, thus reshaping Nigeria’s political landscape.
“The coalition we built in 2014 is now the fastest-growing political party in Africa today. Its growth continues”, Tinubu boasted.He said, “President Buhari understood that the contest ends when the oath begins. In his memory, let us keep our politics honourable and our governance focused on results.
Adding that, “Nigeria is greater than any tribe, language, faith, or political party. This book reminds us that one life, lived with restraint and responsibility, can inspire a nation. True nation-building is the work not just of leaders but of the entire citizenry”.
The President thanked the author of this book for enriching our collective memory, for collecting facts and testimonies, and for refusing to reduce a complex life to simple lines.He said, “This book reinforces the public’s memory. It outline achievements and flaws, as all honest histories should. It should motivate future leaders to learn lessons rather than repeat slogans.
“May this book reach widely, into classrooms, libraries, and the quiet desks of young Nigerians as they decide what kind of leaders they wish to become”, the President added.
Tinubu extended the nation’s warmest embrace to the wife, Aisha Buhari, her children, and grandchildren and prayed that they find comfort in knowing that the prayers of Nigeria are with them, and that the Buhari name will continue to inspire noble service for generations.
