Senate urges Tinubu to name monument after Buhari

The Senate has called on the federal government to immortalise former President Muhammadu Buhari by naming a national monument after him.

The resolution was adopted on Wednesday following a motion moved by Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele during plenary.

The lawmakers also applauded the federal government for organising a befitting state burial for the late president, who passed away in London on July 13 at the age of 82. A minute of silence was observed in his honour.

Leading the tributes, Bamidele described Buhari as a patriot who left a lasting imprint on Nigeria’s history.

“As I move this motion today, I am reminded of the transient nature of human life,” he said.

“However, our consolation is that our former president led a successful and fulfilled life, both as a gallant soldier who rose to the peak of his military career, and as a democrat who served two uninterrupted terms as president.”

He recounted Buhari’s long political journey — from his presidential bids under the ANPP in 2003 and 2007, the CPC in 2011, to his eventual victory in 2015 under the APC and re-election in 2019.

“As president, he embarked on numerous reforms that contributed to the socio-economic development of the country,” Bamidele said.

He added that Buhari’s passing signalled the end of an era that would remain etched in the minds of Nigerians, and prayed that his legacy would continue to inspire future generations.

Bamidele also noted that President Bola Tinubu had declared a seven-day national mourning period, with flags ordered to fly at half-mast across the country. In a show of respect, the Senate resolved to suspend plenary for one week.

Other senators joined in paying glowing tributes. Abdul’aziz Yari (APC-Zamfara) described Buhari as “a man of integrity, incorruptible, and God-fearing,” while Seriake Dickson (PDP-Bayelsa) hailed his rare place in Nigerian history as both a former military ruler and democratically elected president.