Since July 29th, 1975, when the late General Murtala Muhammed took over the leadership of Nigeria, the then Lt. Col. Muhammadu Buhari became a notable figure in the country’s political landscape.
He was appointed Governor of the North-Eastern State, which is today made up of Borno, Yobe, Bauchi, Gombe, Adamawa, and Taraba States. A subsequent development led to his appointment as the Federal Commissioner for Petroleum Resources, during which the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) was established—an entity that had previously been known as the Nigeria Oil Company.
In 1979, when power transitioned from military to civilian rule, Major General Muhammadu Buhari was appointed General Officer Commanding (GOC) of the 3rd Division of the Nigerian Army in Jos. During his tenure, it was reported that there was an incursion into Nigerian territory by Chadian forces. General Buhari was said to have swiftly repelled the Chadian troops without surrendering any part of Nigerian land.
As fate would have it, General Buhari became Nigeria’s Head of State and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces in January 1984.
Following the change in leadership on August 27th, 1985, he was retired from the Nigerian Army and led a quiet life in Kaduna as a private citizen.
In 1998, under the administration of General Sani Abacha, the Federal Military Government established the Petroleum Trust Fund (PTF), utilizing savings generated from a slight increase in petroleum prices. The PTF was charged with addressing the country’s infrastructural deficiencies and providing medical support services to the public.
Under Buhari’s leadership, the fund was managed judiciously and fulfilled its mandate admirably. Its success further reaffirmed General Buhari’s character—marked by discipline, capable leadership, honesty, and integrity.
Recognizing these qualities, he was encouraged to join politics to help redirect the country and restore its dignity as the “Giant of Africa.” The aim was to reintroduce his War Against Indiscipline (WAI) initiative and replicate the success of the PTF on a national scale.
With the return of democratic governance, Buhari joined the political arena and learned the nuances of democratic engagement. He navigated its complexities and, in 2015, emerged victorious in the general elections under the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC)—a merger of CPC, ACN, NPP, and a breakaway faction of PDP and APGA.
President Buhari served Nigeria with utmost dedication. He had once gone to the trenches to keep Nigeria united, and as president, he carried that same patriotic zeal. He was a true patriot and nationalist in every sense of the word.
Despite his military background, his leadership style was not autocratic—it was inclusive and participatory. He valued accountability, trust, and loyalty, especially in selecting his aides.
With a deep sense of loss, Nigerians across the nation came together to grieve and honor the life of a dedicated officer and a gentleman.
In a touching tribute, his comrade and friend, President Ibrahim Babangida, delivered a heartfelt eulogy to the late President.
Indeed, Nigeria has lost a gem—a man who served his country both as a military Head of State and as an elected President. That feat is rare and a true testament to his impeccable character.
Adieu, President Muhammadu Buhari. May your soul rest in perfect peace and may Jannatul Firdaus be your final abode.
Mahmud Shuaibu Ringim
HALIM Consulting Ltd, Kano
mahmudshuaibu44@gmail.com
