‘Inna Lillahi wa inna ilyah rajiun’

The news of the passage of President Muhammadu Buhari, GCFR on 13th July 2025 was received by my family and myself with unimaginable shock, heavy heart and a sense of profound national loss.

Much as we acknowledge that death is an end that is divinely ordained, the loss of an iconic, selfless, and valiant leader like President Buhari, whose ideals and accomplishments command national and global respect, and who dedicated his entire life to the service of a nation he so passionately adore did not only elicit grief in our hearts, but left us with fond memories of the virtues that he projected and the unparralled and historical legacies of his lifetime.

President Buhari was a Statesman like no other in the history of our beloved nation. Principled, visionary, courageous, nationalistic and incorruptible, yet, humble, calm but firm, and blessed with uncommon wisdom which he optimally deployed to successfully navigate through the pervasive and complex dynamics of the socio-political and security challenges which he inherited from his predecessor.

As a Military Head of State, President Buhari served with the highest military ideals and honour, and as a Democratic President, he served the nation with untainted integrity, discipline and patriotism. Not minding his military background, he provided a truly conscientious and principled political leadership that did not only project fairness and credibility in our electoral process, but deepened our democratic heritage.

Upon being appointed by President Buhari as the 21st indigenous Inspector General of Police on 6th April, 2021, he was firm and clear in his charge to me to provide a leadership that will uphold the sanctity of our electoral process, warning firmly against deploying Police power and assets to alter the expressed wishes of the citizens in the electoral process. He maintained this principled position all through his presidency in what qualifies him to be defined as a true Hero in our Democratic Journey. Aside this, he did all within his powers to motivate and support my leadership towards advancing his passion to change the policing narratives and restore the dwindling police primacy in the internal

security architecture, a presidential disposition that inspired my leadership all through my tenure as Inspector General of Police.

President Buhari was not just a kind-hearted, tolerant and jovial personality, he was a People’s President whose modesty, contentment, and unwaivering commitment to the teachings of his Faith kept him connected to Allah (SWT) and edeared him to the masses all through his life. Little wonder, therefore, that he commanded a cult-like followership from the masses and the elites alike in his military and political sojourn.

President Buhari was a great man who lived a public life that inspires and left a legacy of honesty, selflessness, self-esteem, discipline, incorruptibility, integrity, and above all, an undying passion for the Nigerian Project and national service. He came into national leadership untainted and left unblemished. He came into the world with simplicity and exited with humility.

In mourning the passage of this iconic Statesman, it is my prayer that may Almighty Allah (SWT) forgive his inadequacies as a mortal, accept his good deeds and grant him Aljannatul Firdaus.

Signed

IGP Usman Alkali Baba, (Rtd), CFR, NEAPS, psc (+), NPM, fdc
Inspector General of Police (Rtd)

For advert placement, media coverage or public relations consultancy, SMS 08057641919