The apex Igbo sociocultural group, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, has described the death of former President Muhammadu Buhari as a solemn reminder to those in positions of power that legacies, not tenure, define leadership.
In a powerful statement signed by Mazi Okechukwu Isiguzoro and Chief Thompson Ohia on behalf of the group, Ohanaeze expressed condolences to President Tinubu, the people of Katsina State, and Nigeria’s Northern leadership, noting the late President’s revered status in the North.
However, the organization struck a reflective tone, stating that Buhari’s legacy in the South-East remains controversial and painful. “The Igbo people, during Buhari’s tenure, were subjected to systemic victimization and silence in the face of attacks by Fulani herdsmen and militias,” the statement read.
While extending prayers for the late leader, Ohanaeze emphasized the glaring contrasts in federal treatment of Boko Haram insurgents versus Biafra agitators, calling such policies a “betrayal of justice.” They also decried Buhari’s provocative rhetoric and the enduring detention of IPOB leader Nnamdi Kanu.
According to the group, Buhari’s rule marked “a period of economic deterioration, security collapse, and divisive governance,” warning current leaders to learn from history. “Power is fleeting,” they said, “but legacies are eternal.”
In a related message, Ebonyi State Governor, Rt. Hon. Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru, hailed Buhari as “a friend of Ebonyi,” praising his contributions to national unity, discipline, and infrastructural development. He offered condolences to Buhari’s family and prayed for his soul’s peaceful rest.
Ohanaeze concluded its statement with a call for national healing, urging leaders to build legacies defined not by tribal favoritism or repression, but by fairness, compassion, and justice for all Nigerians.
