Former President Olusegun Obasanjo delivered a deeply personal and reflective tribute to his late counterpart Muhammadu Buhari on Sunday, July 13, 2025, labeling him a “cool patriot” who embodied the roles of soldier, statesman, and administrator with unwavering commitment.
Speaking from his residence in Abeokuta, Ogun State, just hours after news of Buhari’s passing broke, the 87-year-old elder statesman traced their shared journey through Nigeria’s turbulent political landscape. Obasanjo, who first crossed paths with Buhari at the Nigerian Military Training College in Kaduna in 1962, recounted their early days as young officers, highlighting Buhari’s rise through the ranks during the 1967-1970 Nigerian Civil War and his subsequent leadership as military head of state from December 31, 1983, to August 27, 1985.
Obasanjo’s eulogy extended to Buhari’s democratic tenure from May 29, 2015, to May 29, 2023, where he navigated complex issues like the Boko Haram insurgency, economic diversification through agriculture, and an ambitious infrastructure push, including the Lagos-Ibadan Railway. Despite acknowledging the criticisms, such as the economic recession of 2016 and persistent insecurity, Obasanjo praised Buhari’s intent to unify the nation, drawing from their occasional collaborations, including policy discussions during Obasanjo’s 1999-2007 presidency.
The tribute, attended by local dignitaries and broadcast nationwide, has ignited a robust debate on Buhari’s legacy, with supporters lauding his anti-corruption drive and detractors pointing to unaddressed poverty levels, which rose from 40% to 63% by 2023 according to World Bank data. Obasanjo concluded with a call for national reflection, urging Nigerians to honor Buhari’s memory by building on his efforts.