Remembrance: Buhari remains an epitome of integrity, modesty in life and death — Buratai

Former Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Tukur Yusuf Buratai (rtd), has stated that former President Muhammadu Buhari epitomizes integrity and modesty in both life and death.

In a statement issued on Monday to commemorate the one-year anniversary of President Buhari’s passing, Buratai, who previously served as an envoy to Benin Republic, remarked, “I find myself not only mourning a former President but also honouring a Commander-in-Chief whose hand I held in the theater of war and whose vision I executed in the defense of our nation.”

According to the former army chief, “His Excellency (Buhari ) was more than a statesman; he was a symbol of discipline. In July 2015, when he placed the mantle of Chief of Army Staff upon my shoulders, he gave me a clear, unambiguous order: degrade Boko Haram and restore territorial integrity to the Northeast.

“He never minced words. He provided the strategic direction and the unwavering political will that empowered the Armed Forces to reclaim our land.

Buratai asserted that, “Many have debated his policies, but those of us who served under his command experienced the man firsthand. He was a leader of legendary stoicism, whose belief in the military never wavered.

“He allowed us the space to operate, trusting our expertise, yet he held us to the highest standard of accountability. It was a ‘very difficult period’, as I have often noted, but it was the clarity of his vision that saw us through the darkest hours of the insurgency. The victories we recorded were a direct reflection of his firm, patriotic determination.

“I recall with profound gratitude his trust in me—a trust he linked to the historical loyalty of my father to his own values. That trust was a burden I carried with honour, and I am proud that we did not fail him.

Buratai explained that, “In death, as in life, President Buhari remains the epitome of integrity and modesty. He served this nation with an unblemished personality, rejected ostentation, and retired to his hometown of Daura with the same quiet dignity he brought to the Presidency. His leadership redefined our democratic landscape and laid foundational stones for a secure future.

“To his beloved family, I extend my deepest condolences. To the nation he served, I say: we have lost a pillar of honesty, he stressed.