Former military head of state Abdulsalami Abubakar has praised the late ex-President Muhammadu Buhari as a man who could be trusted completely without fear of betrayal.
Abubakar made this statement on Monday during an interview with Channels Television, one day after the former Nigerian leader died in a London hospital.
The retired Army General revealed that he had been in the same London hospital as Buhari before the former president’s death. He described their relationship as cordial, calling Buhari gentle but exceptionally honest.
“Unfortunately, we were in the same hospital together, but I have been discharged. When I heard the news of his passing away, I quickly went there to condole with the family and see what can be done in order to get the corpse ready to be taken home,” Abubakar said.
Their friendship stretched back over 60 years to when they both joined the Nigerian military as young men in 1962. They served together during Nigeria’s civil war from 1967 to 1970, fighting in the same camp.
“My relationship with him went as far back as 1962 when we joined the military. He was my senior, and during the unfortunate civil war, we were fighting in the same camp. I was with him. He was a gentleman who was very quiet but exceptionally honest. You can trust Buhari with everything and he will not betray you,” he said.
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Abubakar praised Buhari’s efforts to fight corruption and improve Nigerian society during both his military leadership in the 1980s and his civilian presidency from 2015 to 2023. He recalled how Buhari launched the “War Against Indiscipline” campaign during his time as military leader, aimed at improving Nigerian behaviour and values.
However, he expressed disappointment that some of Buhari’s associates during his civilian presidency did not live up to the former president’s high standards.
“During his tenure as a military officer, he tried to fight corruption and also he established the War Against Indiscipline in order for Nigeria to behave the way the civilised world behaves. And Nigeria was cleaner and more respectful. But unfortunately, we lost those values he tried to inculcate in Nigeria. When he became the democratic president, again, he tried his best to make sure he fights corruption. Unfortunately, most of the officers who served with him are found wanting. They did not do what was expected of them. His death has been a big blow to Nigeria,” the retired Army General said.
