Serving Overseer of the Citadel Global Community Church, Pastor Tunde Bakare, has described former President Muhammadu Buhari as “a colossus” and “a dear elder statesman,” following the announcement of his death in London on Sunday.

In a statement titled *Tribute to a Dear Elder Statesman and Compatriot*, issued on Monday, Bakare reflected on his personal relationship with the late president, which he said dated back to 1985.

“This was a man whose destiny first intersected with mine in 1985, when his policy interventions paved the way for a young lawyer at the crossroads,” Bakare recalled.

He praised Buhari’s personal qualities of “integrity and discipline,” which he said offered hope to millions of Nigerians, and noted the former president’s unwavering commitment to national service.

“This was a man with a dream of a New Nigeria — a dream he lived for; a dream he worked tirelessly towards from his youth. A dream that brought tears to his eyes… a dream that revealed the soul of a man whose lifelong desire was to make life better for the ordinary Nigerian,” he stated.

Bakare, who was once Buhari’s running mate in the 2011 presidential election, described the former president’s passing as a major national loss.
“A colossus has departed our land — one for whom there can hardly be a replacement… one whose kind would be a tall order to find again,” he said.

The cleric extended his condolences to Buhari’s widow, Aisha Buhari, and to the rest of the family, praying for comfort during their period of mourning.
“May history remember you well, my friend and compatriot. And may the New Nigeria you tried so hard to bequeath emerge, even after you have departed,” Bakare concluded.

Former President Muhammadu Buhari, who served as both a military and civilian leader, died in London on Sunday, July 13, at the age of 82. He is expected to be buried in Daura, Katsina State, later today.