Former Governor of Ogun State, Ibikunle Amosun, has gone emotional over the death of the late former President Muhammadu Buhari, saying that he would continue to cherish the relationship he had with him (Buhari) while alive because He risked everything to stand by me’.
In the statement, Amosun recounted his decades-long relationship with Buhari, which began when the former President supported him in his bid to become Governor of Ogun State in 2006.
Recalling his relationship with him, the former governor revealed that Buhari had put his life on the line to stand by him, even volunteering to be killed alongside him if necessary.
Amosun disclosed “In 2006, when I first ventured to run for the office of Governor of Ogun State, the powers that-be placed various obstacles in my path. General Buhari came through at a time when all hopes were lost.
“He offered me the platform of his All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP) and while virtually all the VIPs invited for the declaration of my ambition chickened out in the face of State intimidation.
“General Buhari put his life on the line, followed me to the declaration event at Ake Palace, Abeokuta, and, indeed volunteered they should kill both of us, if it came to that”, he added.
Amosun also praised Buhari’s leadership qualities, noting that he was driven by a care for the poor, the underprivileged, and the underserved.
He stressed Buhari’s commitment to transforming Nigeria into a disciplined, orderly, and progressive country, where the poor and weak are protected.
The former Governor also commended Buhari’s vision for infrastructure development, which he described as unparalleled.
“His vision for infrastructure development remains unparalleled. He ran the most ambitious and extensive social intervention policy designed to take the poorest of the poor out of the scourge of poverty.
“As it is with all governments, Buhari’s immense contributions to Nigeria would be more appreciated as Nigerians experience successive governments.
He noted that Buhari’s social intervention policies were designed to take the poorest of the poor out of poverty.
Amosun revealed that despite some people’s hesitations about Buhari, his followers remained solidly behind him due to his conviction and commitment to honest leadership.
He shared a personal anecdote about a family-related issue that led to a disagreement between them, but ultimately revealed Buhari’s rigid position was a deliberate choice to insulate his family from corruption.
“It is true that one of the most misunderstood persons that ever passed through the Nigerian landscape, yet loved unconditionally by people who appreciated honest leadership, was former President Buhari.
“Have we also had time to dimension why in spite of the hesitations that some nursed against him, his followers remained solidly with and behind him till he passed on?
“That’s because the Buhari you probably thought you knew was not the same man that his followers were willing to take a bullet for till he breathed his last.
“Some years ago, I had cause to take him on over an issue. It was family-related. I was stunned to learn about his thinking and why he embraced a rigid position as a father and leader.
“For him, being seemingly hard on the family while in office was a deliberate choice to insulate them from the culture of corruption in the corridors of power and as much to protect his own hard-built reputation, which had thrived on his disdain for sleaze.
