Immortalise Buhari, Senate Presses Tinubu

The Senate on Wednesday urged the Federal Government to immortalize the late former President of Nigeria, Muhammadu Buhari, by dedicating a national monument in his honor.

This resolution stemmed from a motion proposed by the Senate Leader, Opeyemi Bamidele, during the plenary session.

The upper chamber additionally lauded the Federal Government for arranging a dignified state funeral for the late President and observed a minute’s silence in his memory.

In his motion, Bamidele conveyed profound sorrow over Buhari’s demise, portraying him as a leader who etched an indelible imprint on Nigeria’s historical narrative.

He emphasized the significance of the Senate paying tribute to the former President, whom he characterized as a patriot of considerable stature.

“As I present this motion today, I am reminded of the ephemeral nature of human existence.

“Nonetheless, our solace lies in the fact that our former President led a triumphant and fulfilling life, both as a valiant soldier who ascended to the zenith of his military career, and as a democrat who served two uninterrupted terms as President,” Bamidele articulated.

He reminisced about Buhari’s political odyssey, highlighting that he vied for the presidency in 2003 and 2007 under the now-defunct All Nigeria Peoples Party, ANPP, and once more in 2011 under the Congress for Progressive Change, CPC.

“His perseverance bore fruit in 2015 when he secured victory in the election under the All Progressives Congress, APC, and was re-elected in 2019.

“As President, he initiated numerous reforms that contributed to the socio-economic advancement of the nation,” Bamidele added.

He lamented that on Sunday, July 13, Buhari succumbed at a hospital in London, marking the conclusion of an era that, he asserted, would remain engraved in the hearts of Nigerians.

“May his legacy continue to steer and inspire future generations, and may his soul rest in peace,” he stated.

Bamidele further noted that, subsequent to Buhari’s passing, President Bola Tinubu declared seven days of national mourning and directed that all national flags be lowered to half-mast across the country.

“The Senate, in turn, suspended plenary for one week in his honor,” he mentioned.

In his contribution, Sen. Abdul’aziz Yari (APC, Zamfara) extolled Buhari as a man of integrity, incorruptible, and devoutly God-fearing.

Similarly, Sen. Seriake Dickson (PDP, Bayelsa) lauded Buhari’s unique opportunity to serve as both military Head of State and later as a democratically elected President.

He also praised President Tinubu for the reverence shown to Buhari in death, describing it as establishing “a fundamental national standard to honor a deceased President.”

Senate President Godswill Akpabio, in his remarks, affirmed that the nation would continue to mourn Buhari for years to come.