The Convener of The Alternative, Otunba Segun Sowunmi has penned a tribute to the passing of Muhammadu Buhari, saying that the former President lived a fulfilled life.
Sowunmi in his tribute titled “Muhammad Buhari, (GCFR) Maigaskia is Gone! said with the death of the former President Buhari, Nigeria has lost a great leader.
Read the whole statement below
“As the son of a soldier, Buhari has been in my consciousness forever. You heard his stories, from crushing Maitasine to chasing bandits into the territory of Chad way beyond our border. You heard of his exploits as commander and governor of the entire northeast and his no-nonsense approach to discipline.
“When he became head of state, I was in Command Secondary School in Kaduna. He had an orientation program known as war against Indiscipline, which got our attention. We even had our childish war against girls. When one of our friends Samuel found himself in an awkward situation with a female colleague and ended up crying, the matter was brought to my attention, and I immediately ordered a war against girls, which was met with an equal declaration of war against boys. That was how much of an influence Buhari had in my childhood.
“As president, ironically, I was already in the People’s Democratic Party by the time he started his journey back to national leadership. This time I followed him as an opposition politician who held the lines for the PDP. I had nothing but respect and love for the General, but it was not like me to lose easily, at least not the argument.
“When EndSARS happened, I saw the General and crisis manager come forward again, as that was a point that could have imploded the country, but hey, once a general, always a general he brought things under control. Sure, sure it might not have been tidy, but losing the country to a manipulated implosion was not to be allowed under him. When non-state actors overplayed their hands again, I saw him nip them in the bud with command instructions appropriately given to end the madness, and it ended.
“I saw him struggle with insurgency, and perhaps its very nature made that type of asymmetrical war difficult to curb. The targets are too mobile, too formless, and camouflaged, for any citizen that looks just like any terrorist. I suppose his lack of desire to call it terrorism did not help matters, and he must have oversimplified the challenge before getting onto the saddle.
“I admired his desire to give to the poor and most vulnerable in our country with his numerous pro-poor social interventions aimed at providing a social safety net.
His investments in the military were also quite impressive given the neglect of many years.
His ability to keep his word was legendary. His discipline, his frugality made you wonder, Oh Buhari, why are you so different from them all.
No impossible castles, no known oil well, no excessive grandiose show of wealth, a well-disciplined family with minimal interference in affairs of state—I suppose he knew what could go wrong and wanted to protect them from the dangers of undue exposure.
I imagine that the now-departed Buhari believed very much in the day of reckoning. I said the most in Katsina during my last outing with The Alternative. I said, Oh Katsina, you have given us many great sons, and it appears to me that Muhammadu Buhari has lived chasing paradise. Oh Allah, do grant him Al-Jannah when it is his time. Oh, you who take the souls of all mortals at death, you have now taken the soul of Muhammadu Buhari, our leader, a great man, you have favored him in this Duniya, do be merciful to him in the hereafter. Let his prayers accompany him in the grave, grant him provision worthy of a Wali, make the nur of his namesake, the great prophet of Islam Muhammad (PBUH) light up his grave. Oh, you who are often forgiving, do forgive him of his shortcomings, for none can be forgiven except you show him forgiveness. Let his abode be with those who believe and worship their creator. Grant his family the amana of Islam that he practices, and bear the burden of this separation for them.
Oh Rabbil Alameen remember Nigeria, his beloved Nigeria, my beloved Nigeria, our Nigeria, and show us mercy. As you granted Bani Quraysh upon taking the Prophet, grant Nigeria too. Oh, grant Nigeria too.
We have lost a great leader. We are sad but thankful for the opportunity that he was one of us.
My condolences to the President of our country, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the emirate of Daura, Aisha, his beloved wife, and his children, who must sorely miss him as their father. Members of his political family. Oh, to those who loved him while alive, stand with what he stood for and prove yourself loyal, or go your way knowing that Allah is sufficient for those who believe.
Rest in Peace, Mai Gaskia.
Muhammadu Buhari GCFR.
An officer and a gentleman.
Otunba Segun Showunmi
The Alternative.
