Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has mourned the passing of former President Muhammadu Buhari.
Gatekeepers News reports that Obasanjo described the deceased as a “cool-headed patriot” who did his utmost for the development of Nigeria.
Buhari died on Sunday in a hospital in London, United Kingdom, at the age of 82. His death was announced by Garba Shehu, his former media aide, in a statement on X (formerly Twitter).
In a statement by Kehinde Akinyemi, his media assistant, on Sunday, Obasanjo expressed sadness over the news, calling Buhari a colleague and fellow statesman.
Obasanjo stressed the need for Nigeria to draw on the experience of its past leaders in navigating its current challenges.
The statement reads, “ It is with a heavy heart that I received this afternoon the passing of a colleague, a comrade, a cool patriot, General Muhammadu Buhari, who, as a soldier, played his role as a soldier. As an administrator, he played his role as an administrator, and as a statesman, he played his role as a statesman, of course.”
“At a time like this, we need the totality of the experience and what I may call statesmanship of all those who have had opportunities to run the affairs of this country to get us out of the situation we are in.”
“He will be surely missed. May his soul rest in perfect peace.”
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has since ordered Vice-President Kashim Shettima and Chief of Staff Femi Gbajabiamila to accompany Buhari’s remains back home from the UK.
National flags have also been directed to fly at half-mast across the country in honour of the late leader.
