It is with great sadness that the Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) received news of the death of General Muhammadu Buhari (Rtd.), the immediate past President and Com-mander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and, until this event, one of four surviving former Nigerian Heads of States. General Buhari had led a life full of momentous activities, not surprising for a personal-ity who had twice served as chief Executive of Nigeria, first as Military Head of State (1983 – 1985), then as twice democratically elected President (2015 – 2023), as well as Military Governor of the defunct Northeastern State (now Adamawa, Bauchi, Borno, Gombe, Taraba and Yobe states) (1975 – 1979), and (Federal) Minister of Petroleum Re-sources. Additionally, he had also served command posts in the military and actively fought in the 1967-1970 Civil War which ended in the unification of Nigeria, among his numerous other national outings. The late retired General was therefore a recurring deci-mal in policy and governance circles in Nigeria for nearly the past 60 years. Perhaps as should be expected, late General Buhari’s services to Nigeria could not have failed to elicit mixed reactions and evaluations, from friends and foes alike. Those different times he had served incorporated momentous and often controversial episodes in checkered Nigeria’s history. It is to be expected that some of the controversies and other memories as his legacies will linger and be subjected to analyses. However there is no Nigerian alive today that enjoyed the love and loyalty of the Nigerian downtrodden especially in the North like the late President Muhammadu Buhari. ACF mourns Gen. Buhari and prays for the peaceful repose of his soul in Aljanna Fir-daus. ACF equally extends condolences to his family and friends, the people and Government of the Federation, Katsina State and beyond.
Prof. TA Muhammad-Baba
National Publicity Secretary