Byline: Abuja | July 17, 2025
Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, SAN, has described late President Muhammadu Buhari as a rare Nigerian statesman who served the country with unmatched integrity and discipline.
Speaking during a Special Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting convened by President Bola Tinubu at the Council Chambers of the Presidential Villa, Keyamo paid glowing tribute to the former president, emphasizing his legacy of honesty, transparency, and moral leadership.
“The passing of President Muhammadu Buhari has stirred emotions across Nigeria and beyond. It is not surprising, considering he is one of only two Nigerians who led this nation both as a military Head of State and a democratically elected President,” Keyamo said.
He noted that Buhari’s influence on national policy and leadership was profound, affecting millions and shaping the direction of the nation across decades. According to him, even critics and opponents acknowledge Buhari’s integrity in public service.
“Whether judged harshly or kindly, there is broad agreement that he was a man of honesty and integrity. He led by example, inspired transparency, and upheld accountability,” Keyamo stated. “He was a moral and ethical compass in governance, one who served with a clean conscience, deep faith, and remarkable discipline.”
Reflecting on his personal experiences, Keyamo added, “I once wrote that they don’t make them like him anymore — not driven by wealth, austere in lifestyle, never showy, and honest to the core. His integrity wasn’t fleeting; it was proven over time in various leadership roles.”
Keyamo listed Buhari’s wide-ranging service record: from Platoon Commander to Military Head of State, from Federal Minister to Chairman of the Petroleum Trust Fund, and ultimately to two-term civilian President. “Not once was he found wanting,” he said.
He highlighted the evolution of Buhari’s image — from the stern military ruler of the 1980s to the determined opposition figure who eventually became a democratic symbol of change in 2015. “In 2015, Nigerians made history by electing him to defeat a sitting president. And in 2023, he presided over a peaceful transfer of power. This is the stuff of epic stories,” Keyamo said.
“For millions, he remained an enigma — a figure both admired and misunderstood. Yet, in the final reckoning, Buhari checked all the boxes of a true patriot, a disciplined officer, and an exceptional statesman. He came, he served, and he conquered. Goodbye, Mai Gaskiya,” he concluded.
Keyamo also spoke of his own working relationship with Buhari, having served as the president’s campaign spokesperson in 2019 and later as Minister of State in two ministries.
“I can attest to his unwavering sense of order and discipline. Personal relationships never took precedence over institutional hierarchy. If harmony between subordinates and superiors broke down, even his closest allies were replaced to ensure the system worked,” Keyamo noted.
He concluded by saying only a few people in history get the chance to reinvent themselves and shape their legacies at the highest level — and Buhari was one of them.
