Governor Peter Mbah of Enugu and his Abia State counterparts Alex Otti have expressed deep grief over the passing of former President, Mohammad Buhari, describing it as a colossal loss to the entire nation.
Reacting to the sad development, Mbah, in a condolence message signed by him on Sunday night, described Buhari as one of the most patriotic and honest Nigerian leaders to have ever led the country.
Governor Otti said he received the “sad news” of the death of former President Muhammadu Buhari with shock.
In a statement issued by Ferdinand Ekeoma, his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Otti condoled President Bola Tinubu and Buhari’s family on the incident.
Mbah said: “President Buhari made his entrance into Nigeria’s governance space in 1984 and 2015.
“On both occasions, his pedigrees of truthfulness, integrity, and patriotism stood out.
“He demonstrated an unwavering commitment to the ideals of nationhood. He was an embodiment of service and dedication to the fatherland.
“His life was a lesson to upcoming leaders that leadership is about the downtrodden and the vast number of people who needed development,” Mbah said.
The governor added that Buhari’s public service career was glittering and outstanding.
He acknowledged the deceased former leader’s simplicity and forthrightness, saying they were virtues that endeared him to millions across Nigeria, and even beyond.
“Although he leaves behind a void that will be difficult to fill, there is much comfort in the fact that his life was an inspiration, and his vast legacies are engraved in the sands of time.
“On behalf of the government and people of Enugu State, I mourn the passing of this astute General, a committed patriot and a leader whose engaging persona was circumscribed throughout Nigeria and among its people.
“I offer my sincere condolences to his immediate family, the Government and people of Katsina State, the Federal Government and the entire people of Nigeria,” he stated.
Mbah prayed that the Almighty God would grant the soul of the late president eternal repose.
Otti urged the bereaved family and other loved ones to bear his loss with fortitude.
He prayed for the repose of the soul of the former president.
In a similar vein, the Abia APC Chairman, Dr Kingsley Ononogbu, has expressed regret over Buhari’s death, describing it as “sobering”.
Ononogbu, however, declined further comments on the person and leadership of the deceased, saying that he should be accorded respect on the day of his death.
According to him, it is not nice for people to make certain comments on the death of Buhari, everyone will die someday. (NAN)
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