President Bola Tinubu on Monday described the late former President Muhammadu Buhari as a leader of “quiet strength, discipline and enduring grace”.

Tinubu, speaking at the presentation of the biography ‘From Soldier to Statesman: The Legacy of Muhammadu Buhari’ at the State House Conference Centre in Abuja, said Buhari’s legacy of integrity and modesty will continue to inspire Nigerians.

“The measure of a leader is not simply the offices he held or the motorcades that accompanied him. It is what persists when the sirens fall silent,” Tinubu said.

“President Muhammadu Buhari left behind a reputation for integrity, a spartan lifestyle, and the belief that public office is a trust and not a windfall.”

Tinubu described his shared journey with the late former president in forming the alliance that resulted in the historic 2015 presidential election victory.

He stated that the alliance created in 2014 has evolved into Africa’s fastest-growing political party.

The president complimented the book for providing an honest portrayal of Buhari’s accomplishments and flaws, emphasising that it should be used as a learning tool for future leaders rather than just slogans.

He characterised Buhari as a steadfast patriot whose honesty was accepted even by critics, and said their political collaboration showed them the virtue of working together across divides.

“Nation-building demands that we compete passionately and govern responsibly. In his memory, let us keep our politics honourable and our governance focused on results,” Tinubu said.