The Association of Ex-Local Government Chairmen of Nigeria has described the late former President Buhari as a pragmatic leader who will be remembered for his leadership style.

In a statement signed by the association’s national president, Albert Asipa, the body described Buhari’s death and that of the Awujale of Ijebuland, Oba Sikiru Adetona, on the same day as “a terrible and devastating blow to the country.”

ASELGON, which commiserated with the families of the deceased, both in Daura, Katsina State and Ijebu-Ode also in Ogun State, said they should be consoled by the records of service both gave to humanity as Army General and politician and as a traditional leader respectively.

Speaking of Buhari, Asipa recalled that the late Army officer came on two different occasions, first as a military Head of State between 1983 and 1985 and secondly as a civilian President between 2015 and 2023 to offer leadership and the two occasions were remarkably significant in the political history of the country.

On the two occasions, he noted that the late former President proved himself a patriotic, disciplined and focused leader who gave his all for the upliftment, progress and betterment of the country.

“He would for long be remembered for his pragmatism, loyalty to nation building and commitment to all that is noble and worthy of a genuine leader”, the association added.

On Oba Adetona, the former Ex-Local Government Chief Executive Officers said “the nation has lost a quintessential monarch, whose frankness and bluntness to a fault had no parallel. A highly disciplined and reserved monarch, the late Awujale would be sorely missed by the country at large, the Yoruba race and his Ijebu-Ode subjects in particular.

“It is very sad and painful to lose these two illustrious and prominent personalities at this particular point in the political history of Nigeria when their counsel and advice, based on their wealth of experience would be badly needed, but who are we to query the all-knowing God on His decision?

“We thank God for their respective lives which in no small measure impacted on our society in diverse ways of politics and culture and traditions where the twosome separately successfully operated and pray that Almighty Allah would uphold their respective families”, ASELGON further commiserated.