Pioneer National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress and former governor of Osun State, Chief Bisi Akande, on Wednesday described the late former President Muhammadu Buhari as an angel in human flesh, saying his legacy of nation-building would continue to endure.
Akande, who led a delegation of political associates to Kaduna to commiserate with the Buhari family, said the news of Buhari’s death was a “painful personal loss” that shook him deeply.
He recalled his last encounter with the late president in Daura, Katsina State, noting that Buhari had appeared “healthy and strong,” giving no sign that death was imminent.
“I first heard that he died when I was abroad. Before then, I met him in Daura after our feast.
We had a nice time together. He was looking robust, he was healthy, very strong,” Akande recounted.
The elder statesman added that their conversation on that occasion was lighthearted.
“In a joke, I said I was going back to my village. He too said he was enjoying his village in Daura. By the time he moved to Kaduna, I was planning to come and see him here, and they told me he had travelled,” he said.
According to Akande, the sudden news of Buhari’s passing caught him unprepared.
“I didn’t ask questions and I travelled through. But when I was abroad, I learned that he passed. Very painful, very, very painful,” he lamented.
He explained that upon returning to Nigeria, his first duty was to pay a condolence visit to the family.
“When I came back, I thought the first thing I should do is to come and meet the family, commiserate with them and pray with them. And that’s what I have come here to do today,” he said.
Akande paid glowing tributes to the former president, describing him as a rare Nigerian leader whose influence would remain indelible.
“He was a great Nigerian. He was patriotic. Maybe he was an angel coming in human flesh and he had done his bit. He had passed,” he said.
The APC chieftain noted that Buhari’s legacy of service, integrity and discipline would continue to inspire Nigerians. “His spirit will continue to live forever because of the good work he did in Nigeria,” Akande declared.
The condolence delegation led by Akande included Senator Abu Ibrahim, former Minister of Youth and Sports Development, Sunday Dare, APC stalwart, Alhaji Mahmud Abdullahi, Director-General of the National Directorate of Employment, Mr Silas Agara, and Convener of the Arewa Think Tank, Mohammed Alhaji Yakubu.
They were received at the late president’s Kaduna residence by the former First Lady, Hajiya Aisha Buhari, and the eldest son of the family, Yusuf Buhari.
In his response, Yusuf expressed deep gratitude to Akande and his entourage for standing with the family during what he described as their “most difficult moment.”
He also thanked President Bola Tinubu for ensuring that the late Buhari received a befitting burial and dignified send-off.
“We are grateful to President Tinubu for standing with us and giving our father the honour he deserved. We also appreciate all Nigerians for their prayers, their messages, and their visits. The support we have received has been overwhelming, and we do not take it for granted,”Yusuf said.
He assured that the family would uphold the values of patriotism and sacrifice which Buhari represented throughout his life.
“Our father lived by integrity, discipline, and service to Nigeria. We will continue to uphold those values and preserve his legacy,” he said.
