• Bishop Kukah said Buhari should be remembered beyond his 8-year tenure as President

  • The Catholic Bishop described the late leader as a patriotic Nigerian who served both in military and civilian roles

  • He offered prayers for the repose of Buhari’s soul and comfort for his family

The Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Sokoto, Most Rev. Dr. Matthew Hassan Kukah, has joined the list of eminent Nigerians mourning the passing of former President Muhammadu Buhari.

Kukah urged Nigerians not to judge Buhari solely on his civilian presidency, but to reflect on his overall contributions to the nation as a military officer and statesman.

In a telephone interview with Daily Sun, Kukah said:

“I think President Buhari should be remembered as a good man. We shouldn’t focus on his eight years of being President of Nigeria, but as a great man who made his contributions to this country as a military officer, among many other things.”

The cleric, who once served as Secretary General of the Catholic Secretariat of Nigeria, prayed for Buhari's soul and encouraged Nigerians to console his family in this period of mourning.

“May God grant him eternal rest and may He give consolation to his family. Extend our sympathy. All of us as a nation are mourning,” he added.

Buhari, who passed away in London, served as Nigeria’s military Head of State between 1983 and 1985, and returned as a democratically elected President from 2015 to 2023. His time in office remains a subject of national debate, but Kukah emphasized that Nigerians should adopt a broader and more compassionate perspective of his life and legacy.

Meanwhile, Femi Adesina, former Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, earlier explained why Buhari consistently sought medical care abroad, citing Nigeria’s lack of necessary facilities and specialists familiar with his medical history.