Late former President Muhammadu Buhari
Nigerian Senate on Wednesday urged the Federal Government to commemorate former President Muhammadu Buhari by naming a national monument in his honor.
The proposal came through a motion presented by Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele during the plenary session in Abuja.
The Senate also praised the Federal Government for arranging a dignified state funeral for Buhari and observed a minute of silence to honor his memory.
In his motion, Bamidele expressed profound grief over Buhari’s passing, portraying him as a towering figure in Nigeria’s history whose contributions left a lasting legacy. “Today, as I present this motion, I reflect on the fleeting nature of life,” Bamidele said. “Yet, we find solace in the fact that former President Buhari lived a remarkable life, excelling as a distinguished soldier and a committed democrat who served two consecutive terms as president.”
Bamidele traced Buhari’s political journey, highlighting his presidential bids in 2003 and 2007 under the All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP), and in 2011 under the Congress for Progressive Change (CPC). His perseverance culminated in victories in 2015 and 2019 under the All Progressives Congress (APC). “During his tenure, Buhari introduced reforms that significantly shaped Nigeria’s socio-economic landscape,” Bamidele noted.
He lamented Buhari’s death on July 13, 2025, in a London hospital, describing it as the close of a significant chapter in Nigeria’s history. “May his legacy continue to inspire future generations, and may his soul find eternal rest,” Bamidele added.
The Senate Leader also acknowledged President Bola Tinubu’s declaration of seven days of national mourning, with flags flown at half-mast nationwide, and the Senate’s decision to suspend plenary for a week in Buhari’s honor.
Contributing to the motion, Senator Abdul’aziz Yari (APC-Zamfara) described Buhari as a principled and devout leader of impeccable integrity. Similarly, Senator Seriake Dickson (PDP-Bayelsa) praised Buhari’s unique record of serving as both a military Head of State and a democratically elected president, commending President Tinubu for setting a precedent in honoring a deceased leader with respect.
Senate President Godswill Akpabio, in his closing remarks, emphasized that Buhari’s absence would be deeply felt for years to come, underscoring his enduring impact on the nation.
