Buhari Was Honest, Not Perfect — Nigerians React to Akpabio’s Tribute

Senate President Godswill Akpabio stood before the Federal Executive Council, alongside former ministers, lawmakers, governors, and Buhari’s mourning family, to deliver what many saw as a glowing eulogy,. Akpabio’s tribute to Buhari – laced with glowing praise, has stirred nationwide debate, not just about Buhari’s legacy, but about the kind of standards Nigerians expect from their leaders.”

“Even his fiercest critics will admit that he did not pilfer the nation’s boss,” Akpabio declared, a line that instantly echoed across social media. In Akpabio’s tribute to Buhari, honesty stood out as the cornerstone of his defense. He spoke of Buhari as a disciplined soldier who stayed loyal to Nigeria and resisted the temptations that come with power. But was that enough?

While some believe that Buhari’s personal integrity was indeed one of his few untainted qualities, others argue that personal cleanliness in office doesn’t absolve a leader from the failures of his administration, especially one marred by economic downturns, rising insecurity, and widespread allegations of corruption among his appointees.

@ObaOfVibes didn’t mince words: “Akpabio really said Buhari didn’t embezzle funds like that’s supposed to be an achievement. Man was president for 8 years and the best PR they’ve got is ‘at least he didn’t loot’? That bar is buried in the basement.”

Between Legacy and Lived Experience

Digging deeper into Akpabio’s tribute to Buhari reveals a recurring theme: integrity. “He left his boots and imprints in the corridors of power,” Akpabio said, casting the late president as a leader who sacrificed comfort for service, President Buhari did not merely pass through the corridors of power; he left his boots and imprints in them. He believed that discipline mattered, that integrity mattered, that leadership, even when lonely, must be anchored on something greater than power,” he added.

But Nigerians have not forgotten what life under Buhari truly felt like.

@LaughNLearnX asked a question that many still struggle with: “He was both the President and Minister of Petroleum at the same time and yet they claim he didn’t loot Nigeria’s treasury? On what basis?” The absence of formal allegations doesn’t mean the absence of wrongdoing, especially when transparency under Buhari’s administration was frequently questioned.

Even worse, critics like @DAjimacks painted a darker picture: “Whether Buhari embezzled or not, his government was a disaster riddled with corruption, suffering, and zero accountability… Instead of rewriting history, Akpabio should focus on cleaning up his own mess in the present.”

Still, a few commenters like Modibbo Ismaila Muazu offered a more sympathetic view. “For the first time Akpabio has spoken the truth,” he wrote, suggesting that in today’s Nigeria, leaders who manage not to dip their hands in public funds may indeed deserve some recognition albeit faint praise.

Yet, praise alone doesn’t shift public memory. Taofeek Olaiya reminded everyone: “They dragged PMB for 8 years straight, now he don kpai, they don turn chief mourners overnight. Na drama wey no get Oscar! We dey observe.”

This contrast between political speeches and public perception highlights a recurring problem in Nigerian politics — the growing disconnect between what leaders say and what citizens experience.

Truth, and Memory

The discussion around Akpabio’s tribute to Buhari goes beyond one speech. It reopens a broader debate about how Nigerians assess leadership. Does honesty mean anything if it’s surrounded by incompetence? Can a president be declared clean if those around him were drowning in scandals?

@deckdesmond posed the question clearly: “Under Buhari’s watch, corruption thrived through the backdoor — if not by him directly, then certainly by those he empowered.”

This observation reminds us that leadership is not just about personal conduct but also about the systems a leader builds and the people they enable. If Buhari turned a blind eye to corruption, can he really be called a clean leader?

That’s why some Nigerians see Akpabio’s praise not as a fair tribute but as an attempt to rewrite Buhari’s complex legacy in simpler terms. Michael Fejiro summed up the public frustration: “What brought the economy to bankruptcy??? Tulumbu said he met a near bankrupt economy. Uma just dey craze for power.”

Whether you agree with Akpabio or not, one thing is clear — Buhari’s time in office left a strong imprint, not just on institutions but in the lives of ordinary people. For many, those memories are not easily erased by elegant tributes or selective praise.

Also Read: How Nigerians Reacted to Buhari’s Death: Between Mourning and Mixed Memories

What Kind of Legacy Should We Celebrate?

Akpabio’s tribute to Buhari has left Nigerians with a haunting question: What does integrity mean in Nigerian politics? Is it enough for a leader not to steal, even if the people around him do? Should the bar for leadership be “he didn’t loot,” or should it be about delivering real, lasting progress?

In a country where citizens have endured years of hardship, mismanagement, and broken promises, words like “he was honest” carry little weight without visible results. Buhari may not have stolen, but did he stop others from stealing?

@chiderahopara1 hit the point home: “Can Nigerians say the same of you when you pass on? No! Because you’re fantastically corrupt.”

That’s the kind of honest self-reflection this country needs. Akpabio’s tribute to Buhari has forced the nation to revisit not just the past, but also the standards we set for future leaders. In doing so, it may have done more than any funeral speech could, it reminded Nigerians that legacy isn’t about what leaders say; it’s about what the people remember.

What do you think? Was Akpabio right to praise Buhari’s integrity, this conversation belongs to all of us.