TRIBUTE BY PRESIDENT BOLA AHMED TINUBU, GCFR, AT THE SPECIAL SESSION OF THE FEDERAL EXECUTIVE COUNCIL HELD IN HONOUR OF THE LATE PRESIDENT MUHAMMADU BUHARI, GCFR
THURSDAY, JULY 17, 2025 STATE HOUSE, ABUJA

PROTOCOL

Today, we gather under a heavy shadow, drawn from the silence
that surrounds a departed leader and the immense weight of a
life whose absence will be felt for generations. We meet to
honour a man whose presence once commanded this very room,
whose voice once summoned the best in us, and whose
convictions never bowed, even to the strongest winds of public
opinion. President Muhammadu Buhari, GCFR, former Head of1
State and former President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria,
has gone to rest.
He was first among soldiers in war, first among citizens in peace,
and first, without ambition or flattery, in the hearts of his fellow
citizens. Yet it was in the quiet and unadorned settings of his
private life that his true greatness was revealed: pious without
show, just without cruelty, humane without sentimentality,
temperate without coldness, and sincere without guile.
Steady in posture and spirit, dignified in bearing, and
commanding by his very presence, his example guided all who
encountered him. Still, it endures.
To his peers, he was respectful and without pretence. To those
who served under him, he was kind without condescension. And,
to those whom he loved most intimately, he was unfailingly
tender, loyal, and good. His life was a rebuke to vice and a refuge
for virtue. The purity of his private character gave radiance to the
discipline and integrity of his public service.
Even in death, he maintained the serenity that defined him in life:
not a sigh, not a groan, just a quiet submission to the will of God.
Such was the man Nigeria has lost. Such was the man for whom
our nation now mourns.
2
President Buhari’s life was one of austere honour. He stood,
always, ramrod straight; unmoved by the temptation of power,
unseduced by applause and unafraid of the loneliness that often
visits those who do what is right, rather than what is popular. His
was a quiet courage, a righteousness that never announced
itself. His patriotism was lived more in action than in words.
His life traced the arc of Nigeria’s journey. Born before
independence, he became a young soldier in the struggle to
keep our nation whole. In war and in peace, he served with
vigilance and determination, as if the task of watching over
Nigeria had been assigned to him alone. From the battlefield to
the corridors of power, he remained faithful to the task. He
governed the North-Eastern State and stood as Head of State.
Years later, he returned to chair the Petroleum Trust Fund, which
he administered with Spartan rigour and complete fidelity to the
public good.
Yet, with all that he had achieved, his most enduring legacy
would be carved in democracy. In a time when many had lost
hope that change was possible, Muhammadu Buhari put his faith
in the people of this country.
3
We stood together, he and I. Alongside others drawn from across
the political spectrum, regions and tongues, we formed an
alliance that enabled Nigeria to experience its first true
democratic transfer of power from one ruling party to another.
When he was sworn in as our party’s first elected President, he
led with restraint, governed with dignity, and bore the burdens of
leadership without complaint.
Those who knew him most intimately understood that the
authority of that exalted office never changed him. In the face of
pressure, he remained calm. In the face of crisis, he remained
resolute. In the face of triumph, he remained modest. Most
remarkably, he retained his jovial spirit.
When his tenure ended, he returned to Daura; not to command
from the shadows or to hold court, but to live as he always had,
never seeking to impose his will but content to let others carry
the nation forward.
President Buhari was not a perfect man – no leader is – but he
was, in every sense of the word, a good man, a decent man, an
honourable man. His record will be debated, as all legacies are,
but the character he brought to public life, the moral force he
carried, the incorruptible standard he represented, will not be
4
forgotten. His was a life lived in full service to Nigeria, and in
fidelity to God.
Now, he rests. And we who remain must carry the memory of his
life as a standard to guide us. Let us honour him not only with
words, but with humility in power, discipline in service,
compassion in governance, and fearlessness in the pursuit of
justice.
On Tuesday, July 15, 2025, a grateful nation bid farewell to one
of her most illustrious sons. It was a profound honour for me,
alongside Vice President Kashim Shettima, to lead his funeral
procession to Daura and witness his burial in the dignified
manner befitting a great and noble leader.
I thank the Inter-Ministerial Committee, led by the Secretary to
the Government of the Federation, George Akume, and
Governor Dikko Radda, for organising a befitting State Funeral
within 48 hours.
In this period of national mourning, I once again extend my
heartfelt condolences to Hajia Aisha Buhari, her children, the
entire Buhari family, the government and people of Katsina
State, and all who knew and loved him. Our gratitude will remain
with President Buhari's family members who provided him with
5
the comfort and strength to serve our nation in various capacities
throughout his over 50 years of public service. We honour his
service, reflect on his legacy, and pray for the peaceful repose
of his soul.
Mai Gaskiya, The People’s general, the Farmer President - your
duty is done.
May Almighty Allah forgive his shortcomings and grant him
Aljannah Firdaus. May his life continue to inspire generations of
Nigerians to serve with courage, conviction, and selflessness.
President Buhari, thank you. Nigeria will remember you.
Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR
President, Commander-in-Chief of The Armed Forces,
Federal Republic of Nigeria

BREAKING NEWS: Burkina Faso Leader Ibrahim Traoré Dissolves Electoral Commission

In a surprising turn of events, the government in Burkina Faso, led by Ibrahim Traoré, has officially disbanded the country’s Independent National Electoral Commission (CENI).

President Traoré points to "unsustainable costs" and "growing concerns over foreign influence" as the main reasons for this decision.

This move raises new questions about when the country might return to democratic governance and how future elections will be organized.

Critics worry this could stall the democratic transition, while supporters believe it’s a crucial step to safeguard national sovereignty from outside interference.

What do you think—is this a bold step towards independence or a risky move away from democracy?

Share your thoughts in the comments. SHARE this post to keep others in the loop.

FOLLOW our page for the latest updates on African politics and governance.

#BurkinaFaso #IbrahimTraore #ElectoralReform #AfricanPolitics #NewsFlashNG #juntas #updates #DemocracyInAfrica

I think the Iraqi people have shown extraordinary patience and courage in the last few months. They have really put a political system on the way to success, to a real democracy here

Through the inspiration of Vaclav's words, the courage of his dissidence and the integrity of his leadership, Czechoslovakia successfully transitioned from an authoritarian state to a free democracy at the heart of Europe

Indeed, Africa is a Cemetery

We mourn — with the tired familiarity of history, the passing of President Muhammadu Buhari, former leader of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, who, true to the legacy of many African heads of state, took his final breath not on African soil, but in a London hospital.

It is a story we know too well.

Once again, a man who presided over a nation with neglected hospitals, underpaid doctors, and decaying infrastructure sought refuge in the former colonial capital when illness struck. He could not trust the healthcare system he supervised for eight years — and who could blame him? Like his peers, he did not invest in it.

In life, Africa was never enough.
Not for his health — that was for London.
Not for his children’s education — that was for the UK.
Not for leisure — that was for Paris and Dubai.
Not for wealth — that was hidden in Zurich.
Not even for development — that was outsourced to foreign corporations.

And now, in death, the same land that was not good enough to live in has suddenly become good enough to be buried in. The Nigerian government has announced that President Buhari will be buried in Daura, Katsina State — a town still waiting for the dividends of the democracy he championed in speeches but neglected in practice.

This is the final irony of African leadership:
They steal from Africa,
live abroad,
treat abroad,
educate abroad,
vacation abroad,
but return home only in a coffin.

Indeed, what they refused to build in life — functional hospitals, quality schools, sustainable economies — they cannot escape in death. They are lowered into the earth of a continent they looted, watched over by the people they failed, guarded by institutions they weakened, and praised by sycophants they empowered.

President Buhari, like many before him, missed the opportunity to make Nigeria — and by extension, Africa — livable, dignified, and respected. Instead, he governed with detachment, ruled with distance, and left with his legacy contested and his promises largely unfulfilled.

In the end, he returns home — not to lead, not to fix, not to redeem — but to be buried.

Indeed, Nigeria, and Africa at large, is only good as a burial ground.
The continent that cannot keep her leaders alive now faithfully keeps their remains.

Indeed, Africa is a Cemetery.

Melah Yusuf Ibrahim Maimuruchi — A Citizen of the Cemetery.

Indeed, Africa is a Cemetery

We mourn — with the tired familiarity of history, the passing of President Muhammadu Buhari, former leader of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, who, true to the legacy of many African heads of state, took his final breath not on African soil, but in a London hospital.

It is a story we know too well.

Once again, a man who presided over a nation with neglected hospitals, underpaid doctors, and decaying infrastructure sought refuge in the former colonial capital when illness struck. He could not trust the healthcare system he supervised for eight years — and who could blame him? Like his peers, he did not invest in it.

In life, Africa was never enough.
Not for his health — that was for London.
Not for his children’s education — that was for the UK.
Not for leisure — that was for Paris and Dubai.
Not for wealth — that was hidden in Zurich.
Not even for development — that was outsourced to foreign corporations.

And now, in death, the same land that was not good enough to live in has suddenly become good enough to be buried in. The Nigerian government has announced that President Buhari will be buried in Daura, Katsina State — a town still waiting for the dividends of the democracy he championed in speeches but neglected in practice.

This is the final irony of African leadership:
They steal from Africa,
live abroad,
treat abroad,
educate abroad,
vacation abroad,
but return home only in a coffin.

Indeed, what they refused to build in life — functional hospitals, quality schools, sustainable economies — they cannot escape in death. They are lowered into the earth of a continent they looted, watched over by the people they failed, guarded by institutions they weakened, and praised by sycophants they empowered.

President Buhari, like many before him, missed the opportunity to make Nigeria — and by extension, Africa — livable, dignified, and respected. Instead, he governed with detachment, ruled with distance, and left with his legacy contested and his promises largely unfulfilled.

In the end, he returns home — not to lead, not to fix, not to redeem — but to be buried.

Indeed, Nigeria, and Africa at large, is only good as a burial ground.
The continent that cannot keep her leaders alive now faithfully keeps their remains.

Indeed, Africa is a Cemetery.

Melah Yusuf Ibrahim Maimuruchi — A Citizen of the Cemetery.

When President Bola Ahmed Tinubu hastily and thoughtlessly removed fuel subsidy on the day of his inauguration, he triggered an economic avalanche that has since buried the average Nigerian under the weight of inflation, hunger, and despair.

In a bid to manage the self-inflicted crisis, the administration promised to pay a wage award to federal civil servants as a temporary cushion pending the conclusion of negotiations on a new national minimum wage. That promise, like many others under this government, has become a broken covenant.

It took the Tinubu administration a staggering 10 months to arrive at a new minimum wage figure. By implication, the Federal Government owes 10 months of wage award arrears to federal workers. Yet, only six months have been paid and that too after a series of unfulfilled assurances and avoidable delays. As of today, the Federal Government owes four months of wage awards, amounting to ₦35,000 monthly, a total of ₦140,000 per worker.

While several state governments have shown commendable responsibility in the management of labour affairs, the Tinubu-led Federal Government has distinguished itself by its callous indifference and utter disdain for workers’ welfare.

To make matters worse, instead of engaging in dialogue or fulfilling its promises, the government has now resorted to tyranny and suppression of free speech. Nearly two weeks ago, Comrade Andrew Uche Emelieze was arrested and detained for attempting to organize a peaceful protest to demand the payment of the overdue wage awards. His only "crime" was speaking up for workers abandoned by the state.

We demand the immediate and unconditional release of Comrade Emelieze. His continued detention is an affront to democracy, a slap in the face of every Nigerian worker, and a chilling reminder of the authoritarian drift of the Tinubu administration.

Let it be known: Nigerian workers will not be silenced, intimidated, or forgotten. The economic hardship is real, the hunger is biting, and the government has a duty to act, not repress. -AA

"Thank you, Mr. Tunji Malomo, for your bold and well-articulated piece. Only those who truly know our political history and are not blinded by loyalty to individuals over the truth will understand the weight of your words.

When people accuse His Excellency Rauf Aregbesola of betrayal, one wonders: "*How long must a man be loyal before he is allowed to have a mind of his own?"* l Is loyalty slavery? Or is it mutual respect?

*Let’s take a journey through the forgotten pages of history:*

1. *Tinubu's Betrayal of Afenifere:*
The Yoruba elders of Afenifere gave Tinubu a platform when he was a political nobody. But what happened after he tasted power? He threw them aside like yesterday’s newspaper and built his personal empire. That was the first great betrayal.

2. *The Abacha Chapter* :
Many may not remember, but Tinubu once sought favour from the same Abacha he later pretended to fight against. His exile was not born of sacrifice but of disappointment when Abacha refused him. He didn’t run because of democracy; he ran because his expectations were cut short.

3. *The June 12 Deceit:*
Even the late MKO Abiola’s family can not forget how Tinubu traded the June 12 struggle for personal gain. Kola Abiola himself exposed these betrayals. While some bled for the cause, others bargained for personal survival.

4. *Oyetola vs Aregbesola - Family Over Party:*
Aregbesola built Osun APC with sweat and sacrifice. But when it was time for succession, Tinubu chose blood over merit. Oyetola, his cousin, was handed the ticket. Even the one-term gentleman’s agreement was broken. If this isn’t betrayal, then what is?

5. *Alpha Beta and the Empire of Greed:*
How many bright minds brought ideas to the Lagos political table, only for Tinubu to pocket them and claim them as his own? Alpha Beta is just one of the many examples where brains were stolen, and loyalty was betrayed for profit.

6. *Aregbesola's Years of Service:*
For almost 30 years, Aregbesola served Tinubu with unquestionable loyalty. From the trenches of NADECO to the corridors of Lagos State, from Osun’s political storms to APC’s national battles. Yet, when he asked for fairness, he was branded a traitor...."

WHY THERE ARE NO PRESIDENTIAL ELECTIONS IN CHINA

No Chinese citizen awakens one morning contemplating: “I shall vote for my president.”

WHY?

Because the Chinese president is not elected by the populace. He is chosen by members of the CHINESE COMMUNIST PARTY.

But wait — this is not a political party in the conventional sense. It is not a local political club that anyone can join.

NO.

The Chinese Communist Party is an ELITE.
You cannot simply join because you desire it.
You gain entry only if you are SELECTED.

And who is selected?
ELITES.
TRAINED individuals.
EDUCATED individuals.
POWERFUL individuals.
People who have already demonstrated their capacity to think STRATEGICALLY, ECONOMICALLY, and POLITICALLY.

Why this model?
Why not allow the people to choose, as in other nations?

Because China’s system is founded on a HARSH yet REALISTIC observation:

Someone who is impoverished, who is uncertain if they will have food to eat tonight, who does not know if they will survive the night… cannot possibly possess the clarity of mind required to select a country’s president.

Yes, it is difficult to accept.
But it is the TRUTH.
Someone who cannot comprehend their own life… cannot grasp the complexities of a nation.

Do you genuinely believe that a person struggling with poverty, who knows nothing of geopolitics, economics, international relations, industrial strategies, or national defence… can wisely choose who should govern a power like CHINA?

I do not think so.

You may express emotional cries of “democracy, democracy,” but China is PRAGMATIC.

It prefers to entrust the governance of its people to TRAINED MINDS, to individuals who have been SELECTED, SCRUTINISED, and TRAINED for this task.

Because if you cannot govern your own life, how can you select a leader for 1.4 billion people?

That is why, in China, it is not the people who vote.
It is the Chinese Communist Party that makes the choice.

And even to become a member of that Party, one must possess a certain LEVEL, a TRACK RECORD, and ACHIEVEMENTS.

Power is not acquired through emotional ballots —
it is attained through COMPETENCE, RIGOUR, DISCIPLINE, and EVIDENCE.

In China, they do not gamble with the future of the nation.
They do not rely on the uninformed majority.
They assign responsibility to those who have proven their ability to shoulder the weight of reality.

Something to ponder.

⸻

HERE ARE 4 POWERFUL STRATEGIC LESSONS FROM THE CHINESE GOVERNANCE MODEL

⸻

1️⃣. COMPETENCE OUTWEIGHS POPULAR OPINION

LESSON: A nation or company flourishes when it is led by the most competent — not the loudest.

China does not leave its fate to chance or popular sentiment.
It selects leaders based on merit, experience, performance, and discipline.

RESULT: In 40 years, it has evolved from a developing country to the second largest economy in the world — and soon possibly the first.

While other countries elect leaders based on promises and slogans, China places STRATEGISTS at the helm of its future.

⸻

2️⃣. ELITES ARE NOT A THREAT WHEN WELL MANAGED — THEY ARE A NECESSITY

LESSON: If you desire elite results, you must have elites in charge.

In China, membership in the Communist Party represents the pinnacle of meritocracy.
You do not attain this through populism. You reach it through intelligence, rigour, loyalty, and results.
These individuals make significant decisions for the country.

This strategy has enabled China to lift over 800 million people out of poverty in 30 years, create giants like Huawei, Alibaba, and Tencent, and position itself as a global leader in technology, infrastructure, and AI.

⸻

3️⃣. STABILITY IS PREFERABLE TO DEMOCRATIC CHAOS

LESSON: Long-term development requires avoiding impulsive shifts in direction.

China does not change course every five years.
It plans for 30, 50, even 100 years ahead.

Mega-projects like the Belt and Road Initiative, the development of megacities, or technological supremacy are planned across generations.

Why? Because power is stable, centralised, and thoughtful.

In contrast, other nations waste time creating and rescinding public policies after each election — resulting in instability, waste, and stagnation.

⸻

4️⃣. GUIDED COLLECTIVE INTELLIGENCE IS MORE EFFECTIVE THAN THE ILLUSION OF FREEDOM

LESSON: A population directed by a clear vision progresses more swiftly than one engulfed in disorder.

China has made a bold decision: to train its elites and entrust them with the responsibility of guiding the masses.

RESULT:
Swift decisions, infrastructure constructed in weeks, a flourishing digital economy, and increasing global influence.

Meanwhile, countries where “everyone expresses their opinion” struggle to build a simple bridge or enact a strategic law.

China ACTS while others merely TALK.

BREAKING—John Cena Apologized to China in Mandarin: “Taiwan is part of China.”

BREAKING— Jackie Chan: “China doesn’t need more democracy. We need stability.”