Following the passing of former President Muhammadu Buhari in London at the age of 82, the Balogun of Ila Orangun and former Osun State governorship candidate, Chief Babatunde Loye, has expressed deep sorrow and reverence for the late Nigerian leader, describing him as “a rare breed of patriot and moral compass for a drifting nation.”
In a moving tribute made available to pressmen in Ila Orangun today, Loye said Buhari’s death marked the end of an era defined by discipline, accountability, and unyielding national service.
“I mourn today not just as a political actor but as a Nigerian who grew up watching a man stand firmly against the tide of corruption, recklessness, and indiscipline.
“General Muhammadu Buhari was never a man of many words, but his actions—whether you agreed with them or not—were always rooted in principle. He was a soldier of conscience and a leader who loved Nigeria to a fault,” he said.
Buhari, who first led Nigeria as a military head of state from 1983 to 1985 and later as a democratically elected president from 2015 to 2023, was known for his austere leadership style and his unapologetic war against corruption. Chief Loye recalled how Buhari’s “War Against Indiscipline” changed public life in the 1980s.
His words: “Some people may joke about it now, but I remember vividly how that campaign redefined public behaviour—queues were respected, punctuality became a virtue, and accountability returned to governance.
“He tried to rewire the national consciousness. He believed, as I do, that a nation cannot prosper where indiscipline thrives.”
Loye also praised Buhari’s civilian leadership, particularly his efforts to cleanse the public service and fight systemic graft.
“The man took on corruption with a soldier’s resolve, even when the system pushed back. He was not perfect, but he remained incorruptible to the end. In a country where compromise is often rewarded, Buhari stood like a rock—sometimes alone, but always unwavering,” he added.
Recalling his personal encounter with the former president, Loye noted Buhari’s humility despite holding the highest office in the land.
He said, “When I was the chairman of the Central Association of Nigerians in the UK (CANUK) in 2015, I was with him at the Abuja House in Campden Hill, Kensington, UK, where we had a long conversation about Nigeria’s economy.
“He was never ostentatious. No flamboyance. He lived modestly, governed sternly, and led with clarity of purpose. For a man who ruled twice under two very different systems—military and democracy—his consistency in values was extraordinary.”
Chief Loye called on Nigeria’s current and future leaders to reflect on Buhari’s legacy.
“Let no one confuse firmness with failure. Buhari gave Nigeria what many before and after him could not—a clear sense of moral direction. His policies may have been tough, his delivery uneven, but his heart beat only for Nigeria.”
The Osun-born political figure urged the nation to mourn not just a leader, but a symbol of integrity in public life.
“He is gone now, and we must ask ourselves: Who among us will speak truth to power as he did? Who will put Nigeria first, even when it hurts politically? This is the void Buhari leaves behind.”
In closing, Chief Loye offered prayers for the late president:
“May Allah (SWT) grant him Al-Jannah Firdaus. May Nigeria find more men like him—honest, disciplined, and committed. And may his life inspire a rebirth of conscience in our national journey,” he said.
