Former Minister of Aviation, Hadi Sirika, has described late former President Muhammadu Buhari’s greatest legacy as his unwavering commitment to the welfare of ordinary Nigerians.
Speaking while reflecting on Buhari’s life and administration, Sirika said the late president remained a pro-people leader throughout his years in public service.
“For me, his greatest legacy was his commitment to staying true to his character. He is a pro-people social democrat. His primary concern has always been the masses,” he said.
Comparing Buhari’s administration with that of President Bola Tinubu, Sirika said both leaders governed under different circumstances.
He noted that while Tinubu was bold enough to remove fuel subsidy and float the naira, Buhari refrained from implementing both policies simultaneously because of the hardship they could impose on Nigerians.
“He believed the subsidy was harmful, but he was concerned about the potential negative impact on citizens if both policies were implemented at the same time,” Sirika stated.
The former minister also dismissed claims that Buhari left behind a struggling economy, insisting the late president handed over “a flourishing country.”
“I believe he left a flourishing country,” he said, adding that both Buhari’s and Tinubu’s policies were guided by the vision of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Explaining why Buhari was nicknamed “Baba Go-Slow,” Sirika said the former president preferred taking time to make major decisions rather than acting in haste.
He argued that Buhari’s administration recorded significant achievements in tackling insecurity, including reclaiming territories previously occupied by Boko Haram, while also improving economic indicators.
On the Nigeria Air and airport concession projects, Sirika said both initiatives were completed under the Buhari administration but have remained stalled due to ongoing court cases.
He maintained that the airport concession process was transparent and expressed confidence that Nigeria Air would eventually take off once the legal disputes are resolved.
