Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate and former Anambra State Governor, Peter Obi, recently shared a poignant memory involving the late former President Muhammadu Buhari, recalling a deeply moving moment from one of their past encounters.
Speaking during the Third Day Prayer service held in memory of Buhari, Obi recounted a brief but powerful exchange from their meeting while he was still campaigning. He revealed that Buhari had personally appealed to him with a simple plea that resonated deeply: “Please care for the poor Nigerians.”
“I had the opportunity of meeting late Muhammadu Buhari while I was campaigning, and I remember his words till today. He said to me, ‘Please care for the poor Nigerians.’ That’s all I always remember,” Obi shared with the congregation, his voice reflecting genuine emotion.
Obi went on to describe Buhari as a man who embodied simplicity and compassion, someone who genuinely cared for the less fortunate. He emphasized that the late president always placed the plight of the poor at the forefront of his mind and policy considerations.
“Buhari lived and died thinking about the poor. He believed leadership was about service to the people, especially those struggling to survive,” Obi said, highlighting the former president’s dedication to uplifting the most vulnerable members of society.
In his address, Obi also issued a heartfelt appeal to current and future Nigerian leaders, urging them to internalize Buhari’s legacy of service and empathy. He stressed the importance of governance anchored in humility and compassion.
“We have to all learn how to serve our country, knowing that one day, we will all be called back by our creator,” Obi imparted, reminding those in positions of power of their ultimate accountability to both the people and God.
Buhari, who passed away in a London hospital after a brief illness, was buried in Daura, Katsina State, according to Islamic rites.
The funeral was attended by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, former political colleagues, family members, and thousands of mourners who came to pay their final respects.