President Bola Tinubu on Monday said late former 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.
Tinubu, speaking at a book launch in honour of the late President at the presidential Villa, Abuja, on Monday, said Buhari’s leadership embodied quiet strength, discipline, and an enduring grace rooted in service.
President Tinubu expressed desire that Buhari’s name will continue to inspire noble service for generations.
According to him ” 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.
“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”.
He recalled how the coalition they built in 2014 is now the fastest-growing political party in Africa today, adding that” its growth continues”
The book reinforced the public’s memory, outlining achievements and flaws, as all honest histories should.
He said the book should motivate future leaders to learn lessons rather than repeat slogans.
He declared that Buhari’s legacy should engender humility.
“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.
Read also: Ex speaker Salaam emerges ADC governorship candidate for Osun 2026
“Second, security. 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.
“Third, vision. 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.
“Fourth, social justice. 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 is given greater meaning when those who follow choose to continue what has been started. That is my duty
“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.”
Tinubu , while speaking on their political journey together, said the journey taught him that ” cooperation across differences is not weakness; it is wisdom”
According to him ” 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.”
President Tinubu commended the author of this book for enriching our collective memory, collecting facts and testimonies, and for refusing to reduce a complex life to simple lines.
The President recommended the book for classrooms, libraries, and the quiet desks of young Nigerians as they decide what kind of leaders they wish to become.
“To my dear brother, President Muhammadu Buhari: though you are no longer with us, your impact endures. We will honour and build upon your legacy—not just by invoking your name, but by delivering results with discipline, compassion, and resolve.”
