Former Chief of Defence Staff, General Lucky Irabor (retd), has revealed that he was appointed to Nigeria’s top military position in 2021 without ever having met then-President Muhammadu Buhari beforehand.

Speaking in a tribute to the late president, Irabor disclosed that his selection as Chief of Defence Staff came as a surprise, adding that the former president’s decision reflected his leadership style rooted in trust and principle rather than personal relationships.

“Before he appointed me as Chief of Defence Staff on 26 January 2021, I had never met him personally,” Irabor stated. “I have never met you before, but I have heard of your performance. I hope you will not disappoint,” he quoted Buhari as saying.

Irabor’s comments, made during his reflection on Buhari’s legacy, offered insight into how the late president made decisions, often relying on assessments from others and documented performance, rather than direct familiarity.

He described Buhari as a leader who preferred to empower those he appointed, avoiding micromanagement. “In President Buhari, I encountered a disciplined and deeply principled leader. A man who said little but listened intently and deeply,” Irabor said.

He recounted instances where Buhari would remain seated for long hours during meetings without calling for a break, a habit Irabor described as a reflection of endurance and focus. “He sat for hours, attentive and composed. I once asked him, half in jest, how he found the patience and strength. He only smiled,” he recalled.

Irabor also extended condolences to Buhari’s family and praised the former president’s leadership qualities, describing his tenure as one marked by “dignity, honour, and integrity.”