Buhari Backed Me When Others Tried to Undermine NASS — Gbajabiamila

Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila, has paid glowing tribute to the late former President Muhammadu Buhari, describing him as a steadfast and dignified leader who stood by him when powerful forces sought to undermine the National Assembly during his tenure as Speaker of the House of Representatives.

In a heartfelt statement titled “Tribute to a Statesman,” Gbajabiamila expressed profound grief over Buhari’s passing, calling it a personal loss of a friend, father figure, and statesman whose influence on Nigeria’s national development spanned over six decades.

“It will forever be one of the great honours of my life that I got to know, work with and enjoy the friendship of Muhammadu Buhari,” Gbajabiamila wrote.

He recalled that during intense political machinations aimed at destabilising the legislature, President Buhari offered him unwavering support and resisted attempts to weaponise the presidency against the parliament.

“As Speaker of the House of Representatives, I enjoyed the unflinching and unalloyed support of President Buhari throughout the tenacious machinations of many who sought to use him and his office to undermine the parliament for the sake of political interests,” he said.

Gbajabiamila revealed that when those distractions intensified, he sought an audience with President Buhari, who reassured him that as long as he remained committed to national interest, he would continue to enjoy his backing.

“True to his word, he thoroughly resisted those attempts to sabotage the House and, in doing so, enabled a period of stability that allowed the 9th National Assembly to be a legislature of policy innovation dedicated to the service of the Nigerian people. This, too, is his legacy,” Gbajabiamila stated.

While acknowledging Buhari’s imperfections, the former Speaker emphasised that the late President was a man of honour and integrity who remained committed to the greater good.

“Like all of us, Muhammadu Buhari was not infallible… Yet, despite his mistakes, one thing was always certain—he was an honourable and dignified man, a fine soldier and statesman who loved his country passionately,” he said.

Gbajabiamila extended his condolences to former First Lady Aisha Buhari, the children, and the extended Buhari family, urging them to take solace in the impactful life the former President led.

“To all his friends and supporters across the country, let us continue the work of serving our nation so that by our joint efforts we may achieve the cause of a nation at peace, prosperous beyond our wildest dreams. This is the highest tribute we can pay to the lanky general and great statesman of our country,” he concluded.

He prayed for Allah’s mercy upon the soul of the late President and for comfort to his grieving family.