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The Speaker of the House of Representatives Hon. Abbas Tajudeen, has urged Nigerians to let the legacy of the late former president, Muhammadu Buhari, GCFR, unite the country and not allow criticisms of his administration to divide them.
Addressing the House on Wednesday at a valedictory session in honour of the immediate past President, who died on July 13, 2025, in London, aged 82, Speaker Abbas said the ceremony was to “honour the memory of a statesman who left an indelible mark on Nigeria’s legislative and democratic landscape.”
The Speaker, at the session where several members eulogised the former president, said Buhari’s passing “marks the close of a significant chapter in our nation’s history.”
Speaker Abbas said: “As we honour President Buhari today, we acknowledge that his legacy, like that of any leader, invites varied perspectives. Some may point to challenges during his tenure, economic difficulties, security concerns, or unfulfilled aspirations. Yet, in this chamber, we see a broader picture: a leader who served Nigeria for nearly six decades, from a young military officer to a democratic president, always striving for the nation’s progress.
“His contributions to infrastructure, reviving rail lines like Abuja-Kaduna and Lagos-Ibadan, completing the Second Niger Bridge, and rehabilitating thousands of kilometres of roads, complemented the legislative advancements we celebrate today. These achievements, born of his vision and our collaboration, form a foundation for Nigeria’s future.
He added: “Colleagues, let the legacy of President Muhammadu Buhari, and whatever disagreements we may hold about his tenure, unite us now. In this chamber, where he laboured alongside us to build a stronger Nigeria, let us resolve to carry forward his commitment to integrity, accountability, and service.
“His life reminds us that leadership is not about perfection but about steadfast dedication to the public good. As we bid farewell to a patriot, let us recommit to the values he embodied, respect for institutions, faith in Nigeria’s potential, and the pursuit of laws that uplift our people.”
The Speaker noted that throughout his life, former president Buhari toiled and laboured for Nigeria, noting that as a democratically elected president, he was a National Assembly’s partner in governance, whose respect for the parliament’s role fortified our democracy.
Stating that Buhari’s tenure from 2015 to 2023 was a period of “unprecedented legislative productivity” and a “demonstration of his willingness to collaborate with the 8th and 9th National Assemblies,” Speaker Abbas disclosed that under his watch, 129 bills were signed into law, describing it as “an impressive legislative record.”
The Speaker stressed that these were transformative laws that addressed long-standing challenges and reshaped Nigeria’s legal framework. He highlighted some of these “landmark achievements forged through the synergy between the executive and the legislature to include the Not Too Young to Run Act (2018), the Electoral Act (2022), and the Petroleum Industry Act (2021).
He further noted that Buhari assented to other critical laws that originated in the House, including the Police Act (2020), which modernised our policing framework for the first time since 1943; the Nigeria Startup Act (2022); and the Discrimination Against Persons with Disabilities (Prohibition) Act (2018), among other reformative laws.
While pointing out that Buhari’s respect for the chamber extended beyond legislative output, Speaker Abbas said the late ex-president upheld the independence of the National Assembly, “allowing internal democracy to guide our leadership selection and refraining from interference.”
The Speaker said: “His commitment to the principle of separation of powers was resolute. He recognised the legislature as a co-equal arm of government, never seeking to dominate or undermine its authority. Instead, he fostered a partnership that enabled us to fulfill our constitutional mandate. His directive to his ministers and agency heads to prioritise appearances before our committees during budget cycles exemplified this respect.
“By insisting on their accountability to this House, he ensured that Nigeria returned to a disciplined fiscal process, reinforcing the oversight responsibilities entrusted to us.”
Signed:
Musa Abdullahi Krishi
Special Adviser on Media and Publicity to the Speaker, House of Representatives, Federal Republic of Nigeria.
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