Buhari believed Nigeria is worth defending, says Boss Mustapha

Former Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Mr. Boss Mustapha, has described late former President Muhammadu Buhari as a patriot and a man who believed, without wavering, in the idea of Nigeria.

He stated that, through decades of uncertainty, transition, and transformation, the former President remained committed to the principle that Nigeria, despite its imperfections, is worth believing in, worth defending, and worth holding together.

In a statement titled “Tribute to President Muhammadu Buhari, my boss, my leader,” Mustapha noted that the life of Buhari was shaped by restraint, purpose, and by a rare discipline of character.

He said, “He did not seek noise. He did not chase favour. He believed that a nation’s greatness must be anchored on values, honour, responsibility, and service to a cause greater than self. He stood firm when it was easier to bend. He held back when it was tempting to indulge. And in his own quiet way, he reminded a generation that leadership can still mean fidelity to principle, not performance.

“‘Indeed, from God we come, and to Him we shall all return. The passing of President Muhammadu Buhari closes a long and defining chapter in Nigeria’s journey. He was, above all else, now he returns to his Maker. And we, as a nation, are left with the sobering task of drawing meaning from his life, not by romanticising it, but by reflecting on what it stood for: that to love Nigeria is not a slogan. It is a lifelong commitment, one that demands integrity, sacrifice, and an abiding belief in our collective future. May God Almighty forgive his shortcomings, reward his devotion, and grant him eternal rest.”