Former Governor of Ekiti State, Kayode Fayemi, has paid tribute to the late former President Muhammadu Buhari, describing him as a man of unwavering conviction and remarkable tenacity.
Fayemi, who served as Minister of Mines and Steel Development during Buhari’s administration said this in a statement posted on his Facebook page on Monday.
He said the former president never wavered in his ambition to lead Nigeria democratically, despite enduring multiple electoral defeats before eventually securing victory in 2015.
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Fayemi, who also chaired the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF), expressed profound sadness over Buhari’s passing, which occurred in London on Sunday, 13 July, following a brief illness.
He extended his heartfelt condolences to the Buhari family, the government and people of Katsina State, and all Nigerians, urging collective prayers and support as the nation mourns the loss of one of its prominent leaders.
“President Buhari’s life was defined by resilience and an unyielding belief in the Nigerian project. He contested and lost multiple presidential elections but never gave up on his commitment to the ideals he believed in.
“His eventual victory in 2015 and re-election in 2019 were testaments to his perseverance and the trust millions of Nigerians placed in his leadership,” Fayemi said.
Fayemi, who chaired the All Progressives Congress (APC) Presidential Primary Convention that produced Buhari as the party’s presidential candidate in 2014, remarked that the former president made a lasting impact on Nigeria’s infrastructure development.
“His administration undertook some of the most ambitious infrastructure projects in recent Nigerian history, including massive road constructions, the revitalisation of rail transport, and the Second Niger Bridge. He believed in building for the future, and his legacy in this regard will long outlive his time in office,” Fayemi stated.
While acknowledging the array of challenges that confronted Buhari during his administration—from economic turbulence to widespread security concerns, Fayemi described the late leader as “a fundamentally good man, often misunderstood, but deeply committed to Nigeria’s progress.”
“History will be kinder to him than the moment allowed. He faced enormous trials, both as a man and as president, yet remained steadfast in his commitment to Nigeria’s unity and progress.
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“President Buhari has finished his course and fought the good fight. Yet his vision of a stable, united, and prosperous Nigeria remains unfulfilled. It is now our collective responsibility as leaders and citizens to ensure that his dreams for our great nation are realised.
‘’We must build upon the foundation he laid and work tirelessly to achieve the Nigeria he envisioned. As we mourn his loss, let us also celebrate his life and contributions. May his soul rest in eternal peace, and may God Almighty grant his family and our nation the fortitude to bear this irreparable loss”, he said.
