President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, has extolled the virtues of former President Muhammadu Buhari, describing him as a “spartan leader” who upheld integrity and never embezzled public funds.
Akpabio made this statement during an expanded Federal Executive Council (FEC) session held in honour of the late president at the State House, Abuja, on Thursday.
He said Buhari’s legacy was rooted in simplicity, discipline, and unwavering patriotism.
“President Buhari believed that discipline mattered. That integrity mattered. That leadership, even when lonely, must be anchored in something greater than power,” Akpabio remarked.
Akpabio, who served as Minister of Niger Delta Affairs under Buhari, said even the late leader’s fiercest critics acknowledged his honesty.
“Let us be honest — he was tough. He was a soldier who did not flinch under fire, a leader who did not flee from responsibility, and above all, a Nigerian whose loyalty to this nation was never up for sale.”
He described Buhari’s “toughness” as stemming from patriotism rather than pride, adding that the former president’s journey in both military and democratic leadership was marked by sacrifice and service.
“Whether in khaki or agbada, he remained firm in his belief that Nigeria was worth fighting for,” he added.
