Senator (Dr) Kola Balogun has commiserated with the family of the late former President Muhammadu Buhari, GCFR, his successor, President Bola Tinubu, GCFR and Nigerians in general over the death of the retired Army General.
The late former President Muhammadu Buhari, who presided over the affairs of the country between 2015 and 2023 once ruled as military Head of State, then as a Major General.
He was the Head of State between 31 December, 1983 and 27 August, 1985 when his administration was toppled by the General Ibrahim Babangida-led coupists.
Senator Balogun, the Oyo South Senatorial District representative in the ninth National Assembly, in a condolence message he personally signed described the death of the former president as a big loss to the country as a whole and to President Tinubu in particular.
The former lawmaker noted that the death of Buhari would rob the country of his invaluable contributions through his vast experience as a two-time leader of the country.
Senator Balogun, whose tenure in the Senate was during the second and final term of the late former president, remarked that President Tinubu would feel the loss more.
He described Buhari as a warm personality who understood the workings of the three arms of government- the Executive, Legislature and Judiciary- perfectly well, despite his military background.
He urged the family to take solace in the fact that their departed patriarch was a highly significant personality whenever the history of the country would be written as a two-time leader
He further stressed that Buhari patriotically stepped out to lead the country at the two critical occasions.
“The two occasions the late former president came up for leadership position were critical times- 1983 when the civilian government of Alhaji Shehu Shagari was sacked and 2015 when the progressive forces through the All Progressives Congress (APC) was led to provide a new form of leadership for the country after 16 years of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the saddle.
“In 1983 when he stepped out, the country was heading towards anarchy following violence that trailed the year’s warped electoral process and in 2015, the country under the PDP had become rudderless and in need of fresh air. In him, Nigerians have lost a patriot,” Balogun added.
He commiserated with President Tinubu, urging him to, as a devout Muslim, take the death of his immediate predecessor as the unquestionable will of the Almighty Allah.
He also enjoined Nigerians to pray for the family, the president and the country at large for divine guide and guard towards Nigeria becoming a great and well respected country.
