Presidency

Tinubu likens Buhari to U.S., France, Britain founding fathers

The presidential candidate of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), Bola Tinubu, says President Muhammadu Buhari would continue to stand out among leaders for the courage he brought to democracy in Nigeria, saying the President has done well in office.

Tinubu said President Buhari would be remembered like Charles de Gaulle of France, Winston Churchill of Britain, and Franklin Roosevelt of America when he leaves office, having carefully influenced Nigeria’s history with a unique leadership style that is selfless, sacrificial, and responsive to the needs of the people.

The APC presidential flag-bearer said Buhari demonstrated and supported transparency and honesty in electoral processes, saying his place in history has been assured for integrity, transparency, and transformative leadership.

According to a statement made available to The Star on Saturday by the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu, Tinubu said this in a documentary, ‘Essential Muhammadu Buhari’, released for the celebration of President Buhari’s 80th birthday.

The President was honoured by family members and some close associates following his absence from the country on the day of his birthday, Saturday, December 17, 2022, in Washington DC, United States where he attended the US-African Summit.

“You have been at the helm of affairs at a critical time in Nigeria’s history. We have seen a life of commitment, dedication, patriotism, and honesty. You have done well.

“Our nation has seen the difference. The leadership style you demonstrated while reading your speech during inauguration, when you said dollars or pounds you had not, and even if you had it, you will not pay.

“You are a man of integrity, great commitment, and exceptional humility. The nation may not at this stage appreciate who you are, as we know, but there is one thing, you belong to the ranks of generals who came at challenging periods to serve like Winston Churchill of Britain, Charles De Gaulle of France, and Franklin Roosevelt of America,” Tinubu said.

The documentary, produced and directed by US-based filmmaker, Ose Oyemadan, showcased the President’s early life, school days, military career, rise as Head of State in 1984, coup and imprisonment, release, PTF days, and return to democracy, where he contested elections in 2003, 2007, 2011, 2015, when he won and his re-election in 2019.

The narrative was driven by the President and supported with deep and authoritative insights by his nephew, Mamman Daura, classmate, Sen Abba Ali, close family members, friends, aides, and political associates including Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, FCT Minister of State, Ramatu Aliyu, Spokesman, Femi Adesina, former running mate in CPC, Pastor Tunde Bakare, Minister of Works and Housing, Babatunde Fashola, Special Envoy to Chad, Amb, Babagana Kingibe, State Chief of Protocol, Lawal Kazaure, SGF, Boss Mustapha, Chief of Staff to the President, Prof Ibrahim Gambari and publisher/biographer, John Paden.

Speakers in the documentary underscored the President’s integrity, loyalty, and commitment to national development, and his distaste for tribalism, laziness, insincerity, and corruption.

At the event held on Friday, which was compered by Minister of Aviation, Hadi Sirika, tributes poured from the Vice President, President Buhari’s eldest daughter, Hajiya Fatima Abba, Sen. Ibikunle Amosun, Governor David Umahi of Ebonyi State, Oni of Ife, Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, Oba of Benin, Oba Ewuare II, and Emir of Kazaure, Alhaji Hajeeb Hussain Adamu.

Umahi and Amosun told the gathering how the President’s warmth, friendliness, and empathy attracted them to the All Progressives Congress, while the royal fathers recounted personal experiences, and how infrastructural development had touched the lives of Nigerians, like Lagos-Ibadan expressway and the Second Niger Bridge.

The night of tribute on the President’s 80th birthday was also witnessed by the APC National Chairman, Abdullahi Adamu; Governors Aminu Masari (Katsina), Atiku Bagudu (Kebbi); and former Governors, Rotimi Amaechi (Rivers) and Adams Oshiomhole (Edo), among others.

The Star