Tributes have been pouring in for Nigeria’s late former President Muhammadu Buhari who died at a London hospital on Sunday at the age of 82.
His successor Bola Ahmed Tinubu described his predecessor as a sincere leader who played an active role in maintaining peace in West Africa and around the world.
While extending his sincere condolences to Nigeria’s current President Tinubu, Gambian leader Adama Barrow described Buhari as an activist for peace both at home and in the subregion.
He paid tribute to the late Nigerian leader’s role in ending the political impasse in The Gambia following controversial elections in 2016.
Buhari was instrumental in negotiating former President Yahya Jammeh’s exit from Gambia and the deployment of regional peacekeepers to which Nigeria still contributes troops.
The African Union chairperson Mahmoud Ali Youssouf said Buhari “will be remembered as a principled and resolute leader who served Nigeria with honour and conviction. Throughout his tenure, he remained a committed Pan-Africanist—an advocate for regional integration, good governance, and African-led solutions to the continent’s pressing challenges”.
Youssouf said Buhari ”was a steadfast supporter of multilateral cooperation and a tireless champion of peace and stability across Africa”.
Sierra Leone’s President Julius Maada Bio said Buhari was a man of honour whose contribution to peace and stability in Africa should be cherished.
WN/as/APA