Governor of Katsina State, Dikko Umar Radda, has disclosed that the late former President Muhammadu Buhari consistently urged him to lead with honesty and integrity, drawing from his own experiences in office.
Speaking during an interview with DCL Hausa podcast following Buhari’s death on Sunday, Radda reflected on his frequent interactions with the former president in Daura, where Buhari lived after leaving office in 2023.
“He advised me to do my best and be honest. He always said that he went through a lot during his presidency and was more relaxed out of office. He even once told me that he pitied ‘Bola’ as he used to call President Tinubu, knowing how difficult the job could be,” Radda stated.
The Katsina governor recalled visiting Buhari every two to three weeks, describing the former leader as jovial and full of wisdom.
“Every two to three weeks, I visited him, and I learned a lot. He was a very jovial man; whenever you interacted with him, you couldn’t help but laugh,” he said. “He often spoke about patriotism and the love of country.”
Radda also revealed that Buhari expressed admiration for President Bola Tinubu’s bold economic steps, particularly the removal of the fuel subsidy — a policy Buhari had struggled to implement during his time in office.
“He used to say ‘Bola is a courageous man, he did what I kept trying to do but I couldn’t do’,” Radda revealed.
Buhari passed away on Sunday, July 13, 2025, in a London hospital at the age of 82. His body was flown back to Nigeria and received by a federal delegation led by Vice President Kashim Shettima and Chief of Staff Femi Gbajabiamila.
State burial rites were conducted before he was laid to rest at his private residence in Daura, fulfilling his personal wish to be buried in his hometown.
