Nigerians Extol Tinubu Over Sterling Role in Buhari’s Burial
Nigerians from all walks of life have expressed admiration for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu following his visible role during the burial of his predecessor, former President Muhammadu Buhari, who was laid to rest on Tuesday in his hometown of Daura, Katsina State.
President Tinubu was captured in widely circulated photographs and video footage bowing solemnly at the gravesite of the late former president, paying his final respects in a moment many have described as “deeply symbolic and heartfelt.”
The emotional display by the nation’s leader has sparked a wave of commendations from citizens and public commentators across the country.
The two leaders, long-time political allies, played pivotal roles in reshaping Nigeria’s political landscape. Their alliance, forged ahead of the 2015 general elections, successfully ended the 16-year reign of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), ushering Buhari into office as president after three failed attempts. Tinubu was widely credited with engineering the coalition that led to the creation of the All Progressives Congress (APC), the platform on which Buhari secured victory.
Nigerians online reflected on this political history as images of Tinubu at the gravesite trended on social media, with many describing the president’s presence as a powerful show of loyalty and respect.
Among those who publicly praised Tinubu was renowned human rights activist and social commentator, Segun Awosanya, popularly known as Segalink. In a post on X (formerly Twitter), Awosanya highlighted the unwavering support Tinubu gave to Buhari, even at times when he faced disregard from Buhari’s administration.
“Through Buhari’s political travails, Tinubu stood like a steadfast rock, never wavering, always there. Even when Buhari’s administration treated him with condescension, or when policies were weaponised to thwart his emergence as the presidential candidate of the ruling party, Tinubu chose silence over confrontation, grace over grudge,” Awosanya wrote.
He described Tinubu as “a rare soul whose loyalty shines like a beacon,” emphasizing that the president’s actions reminded Nigerians that political alliances rooted in shared purpose and sacrifice can endure beyond power.
Bashir Ahmad, a former aide to the late President Buhari, also took to X to commend Tinubu for what he called a profound act of friendship and humility.
“President Tinubu has earned my respect today. He showed us that he’s indeed a reliable friend and a good person! Arewa says thank you, Mr. President, we will never forget this,” Ahmad posted.
The burial of Buhari, who died at the age of 82 in a London clinic on Sunday, marked the end of an era in Nigerian politics. But for many Nigerians, the legacy of his relationship with Tinubu, especially as demonstrated at his burial, underscores a story of political partnership built on trust, resilience, and mutual respect.
As the nation continues to mourn the passing of its former leader, President Tinubu’s gesture has struck a poignant chord, reinforcing his image as a loyal statesman and a figure of national unity.
