Chief Bisi Akande, former Governor of Osun State and pioneer National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), has described the late former President Muhammadu Buhari as a patriotic leader whose legacy will live on.
Akande made the remark on Wednesday in Kaduna during a condolence visit to the family of the late president.
He led a delegation of political associates to the Buhari residence, where he expressed deep sorrow over the passing of the former president, whom he described as “an angel in human flesh”.
“I first heard that he died when I was abroad. Before then, I met him in Daura after our feast, he was looking robust, healthy and very strong,” Akande said.
He recalled that during their last meeting, the former president gave no indication of being unwell.
“In a joke, I said I was going back to my village. He said he was enjoying his village in Daura.
“When he moved to Kaduna, I planned to visit him here, and then I heard he had travelled,” he said.
Akande said the news of Buhari’s death came as a shock while he was outside the country.
“When I returned, I felt the first thing I should do was come and meet the family, commiserate with them and pray with them.
“That is what I have come here to do today,” he said.
The elder statesman described Buhari as a rare leader who served Nigeria with distinction.
“He was a great Nigerian. He was patriotic. Maybe he was an angel in human flesh. He had done his bit and passed,” he said.
Akande said that the former president’s legacy would continue to endure.
“His spirit will continue to live forever because of the good work he did in Nigeria,” Akande said.
Other members of the condolence delegation included Sen. Abu Ibrahim, former Minister of Sports, Sunday Dare, APC chieftain, Alhaji Mahmud Abdullahi, Director-General of the National Directorate of Employment Mr Silas Agara, and the Convener of the Arewa Think Tank, Mohammed Alhaji Yakubu.
They were received by the former First Lady, Hajiya Aisha Buhari, and the eldest son of the family, Yusuf Buhari.
Responding, Yusuf Buhari expressed gratitude to Akande and his delegation for their solidarity and support.
He also thanked President Bola Tinubu for the honour accorded to the late president through a befitting burial.
“We are grateful to President Tinubu for standing with us and giving our father the honour he deserved.
“We also appreciate all Nigerians for their prayers, messages and visits. The support we have received has been overwhelming,” he said.
Yusuf assured that the family would continue to uphold the values of integrity, discipline and service exemplified by the late president.
