Immediate past Governor of Ekiti State and former Chairman of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF), Dr Kayode Fayemi, has expressed deep sorrow over the death of former President Muhammadu Buhari, who passed away in London on Sunday after a brief illness.

In a statement personally signed by him yesterday, Fayemi described the late President as a man of deep conviction and great tenacity, who never gave up on his dream of leading Nigeria democratically, despite suffering several electoral defeats before his eventual victory in 2015.

While acknowledging the challenges Buhari faced during his tenure, which ranged from economic instability to security issues, Fayemi emphasised that the late leader was “a fundamentally good man, often misunderstood, yet driven by a genuine desire to see Nigeria succeed.”

FORMER Lagos State Governor, Mr Akinwunmi Ambode, in his reaction, called on Nigerians to uphold the ideals of unity, equity, and visionary governance as he paid tribute to the late Buhari.

“His calm strength, discipline, and belief in Nigeria’s promise are values we must not lose,” Ambode said.

EBONYI State Governor Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru of Ebonyi State said that President Buhari’s death was a monumental loss to the nation.

In a statement yesterday, Nwifuru described the former President as a disciplinarian, who lived all his life to serve the country.

He noted that Buhari consistently embodied integrity, courage, and simplicity values that endeared him to millions of Nigerians, noting that his death was a great loss.

The statement reads: “The news of the death of the former President Muhammadu Buhari came as a shock not only to Ebonyi people but a monumental loss to the nation”.

“Buhari was a towering figure whose life was marked by selfless service, discipline, and an undistracted commitment to the unity and progress of Nigeria”.

ONDO State Governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, described Buhari’s passing as saddening, stressing that the ex-Nigerian leader lived a compassionate and fulfilled life.

In a condolence message signed personally by Aiyedatiwa and titled ‘President Buhari: A Patriot Exits the Stage, the governor maintained that the late former President was a man who was prudent and valued integrity.