Ex-President Buhari held public office in trust not as a windfall – Tinubu
President Bola Tinubu on Monday extol the many virtues of ex- president Muhammad Buhari, stressing that he left behind a reputation for “integrity, a spartan lifestyle, and the belief that public office is a trust and not a windfall.”
He said the late President Buhari, was a leader who embodied quiet strength, discipline, and an enduring grace rooted in service.
Tinubu spoke at the launching of Buhari’s biography in Abuja yesterday, saying Buhari’s name will continue to inspire noble service for generations.
Tinubu said “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. 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.
“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 has become the fastest-growing political party in Africa today. Its growth continues.”
Reflecting on the enduring pillars of President Buhari’s legacy, he said “President Buhari preferred simplicity over ornamentation. He believed that a leader must first discipline himself before he can discipline a system. He lived modestly, and he carried the dignity of that modesty into power.
“President Buhari recognised that security is the foundation of citizenship and prosperity. He invested in platforms and personnel, improved capacities across our armed services, and pushed for reforms that endured beyond the headlines. He understood that safety requires protecting both the state and its citizens.
“He understood the importance of long-term thinking—constructing bridges, restoring railways, building roads, modernising our airports, and renewing critical infrastructure —while prioritising maintenance and sustainability.
“He 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 becomes alive only when those who come after choose to continue what has been started. That is my duty. That is our collective duty, as a nation.
“President Buhari loved this country consistently, morning after morning, decision after decision, staying true to the oath he took. That is why even those who disagreed with him often acknowledged his honesty.
The president said, their political journey together taught him that cooperation across differences is not weakness; it is wisdom, stressing that , “nation-building demands that we compete passionately and govern responsibly. 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.
“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.”
Related to this topic:
