Thoughts on the Forthcoming Memorial Service in Honour of late President Buhari By Edwin UharaThoughts on the Forthcoming Memorial Service in Honour of late President Buhari -By Edwin Uhara

“The legacy of heroes is the memory of a great name and the inheritance of a great example” — Benjamin Disraeli

One year after his death, his memory is still fresh in our minds, his thoughts still live rent-free on our heads and his legacies still remains the talk of town — former President Muhammadu Buhari was indeed a great leader by all standards and deserved to be remembered as enunciated by the Central Planning Committee of the body handling the forthcoming memorial service and free book launch in his honour.

Like Napoleon Bonaparte once said: “Great men are meteors designed to burn so that earth may be lighted,” Buhari did not only bring light to the nation but he brought shining flame that illuminated the length and breath of the nation; from Abia to Zamfara, the story is the same.

It is the story of a man who denied himself comfort for the benefit of the talakawas; a man who did not build new house but instead donated his salary for the common good of the people.

In fact, let me not dwell on his government’s achievements because the “big boys” of his administration will do that, but let me draw attention to the area that nobody talked about and will likely not talk about on his memorial day.

It is the story of how the late President was able to tame the overbearing influence of the Nigerian Governors Forum (NGF) who nearly took over the functions of the National Assembly and appropriated the duties of the president to themselves through the back door.

As a Press Officer in one of the lobby groups in Abuja then, when some of the governors come to our office, you often hear them boast that no policy can be implemented by the President without their endorsement.

So before the coming of Buhari, we witnessed how legislative bills must enjoy the backing of the governors before it could fly at the National Assembly.

We saw how the president must pander to the interest of governors before having his wish done.

Any lawmaker who refused to support the position of his state governor is sure of losing his seat in next election.

We saw how a sitting president dare not appoint a minister outside the list submitted by state governors because of political correctness.

We saw how the Chairman of the Nigerian Governors Forum was dragging the national leadership status of a ruling party with the Commander-in-Chief; creating a situation where the governors must approve the choice of whoever the president was bringing as national chairman of his party.

Governors were having asphyxiating effects on the President to the extent that no major appointment could come from their states without their inputs.

The situation was so tensed that David Mark as then Senate President had to admit that there was an understanding between him and his state governor which warranted that he will respect his governor anytime he was in Benue State but that his governor must also respect him anytime he was in Abuja because of his position as the number three citizen of the country.

Every attempt to put governors to where they belong failed. The presidency supported Jonah Jang, former Governor of Plateau State to become Chairman of the Governors Forum but he failed.

While Jonah Jang was Jangling with the Presidency over a failed mission, the NGF was having a field day.

The organization was so strong that an attack on one governor was treated as an attack on all governors.

It was out of this frustration that led to the formation of the PDP Governor’s Forum with then ‘uncommon’ Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Chief Godswill Akpabio as it’s first Chairman but still could not match the force of the NGF.

But when Buhari came on board, only with his body language alone, the new Sheriff was able to conquer what others couldn’t.

Today, the Presidency has taken back it’s power in full, including the power to appoint anybody into any office without third party interference.

With this and many others, former President Muhammadu Buhari deserve to be remembered and honoured.

And according to the Chairman of the Central Planning Committee for the event and immediate past Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Mr Boss Mustapha, he said: “On behalf of the Central Planning Committee, I have the honour and privilege to address you on the plans for the forthcoming first anniversary of the passing of our beloved former President, Muhammadu Buhari.”

“The commemorative event will bring together the family he left behind, his friends and associates, public officials, and well-wishers, to remember his life and to offer prayers and supplications for the repose of his soul.

Adding that “The programme will consist principally of interfaith and interdenominational prayers, reflecting the values of unity, faith and national cohesion that he upheld throughout his life and his service to our country.”

“At the event, a select number of individuals who worked closely with the late President will speak about his historical legacy and share their personal experiences of him.”

The former SGF further noted that “A book of tributes titled, “Tributes and Condolences in Honour of Muhammadu Buhari,” will be presented to the public by the Special Guest of Honour, His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.”

In its pages, the global community, including heads of state, diplomats and political leaders, remembered the late President as a man of simplicity, resilience and integrity.

He recalled that following his passing at the age of 82 on the 13th of July last year, the world honoured his life for his humility and as a source of inspiration. I should add that the book is neither for sale nor for fundraising. It is for free distribution.”

The former SGF urged Nigerians to pray for the late president in their places of worship, expressing hope that the commemoration would foster national unity and comfort his family, friends and admirers.

He continued, “Religious leaders representing the various faiths and denominations will lead prayers for him. Our hope is that the occasion will not only honour the memory of the late President, but also serve as a source of comfort and encouragement to his family, his friends, his admirers, and the entire people of this country who continue to cherish his worthy legacy of service to the nation.

Though no amount of good words can replace his presence in our midst but as believers, we take solace in the Almighty.

And on behalf of all the Buharideens, I am praying that the Almighty Allah forgive his shortcomings, shower His infinite love and mercy upon his soul and grant him high rank in Jannatul Firdaus, Ameen Ya Rabi.

Comrade Edwin Uhara is a former Member of the APC Presidential Campaign Council and United Nations-trained Negotiator