Former Ogun State Governor and Senator Ibikunle Amosun, on Monday described Nigeria's late former President, Muhammadu Buhari, as a rare statesman whose life was defined by discipline, integrity and simplicity, saying those virtues remained constant throughout his years in and out of public office.

In a heartfelt tribute marking the first anniversary of Buhari's passing, Amosun said the late President left behind a legacy of honour, restraint and selfless service that should inspire present and future leaders.

"Discipline was not a slogan to him; it was a way of life. Integrity was not a political strategy; it was his character. Simplicity was not cultivated for public admiration; it reflected who he truly was," Amosun said.

He described Buhari as a soldier, former Head of State, two-term democratically elected President and one of the most influential public figures in Nigeria's modern political history.

Beyond his national stature, however, Amosun said Buhari occupied a special place in his personal and political life.

"For me, he was much more. He was a political father, a mentor, a trusted leader, a dependable ally, and a friend whose confidence, guidance and steadfast support profoundly shaped my own public journey," he stated.

According to the former governor, Buhari regarded public office as a sacred trust rather than an opportunity for personal enrichment, adding that the late President approached governance with quiet determination and an unwavering commitment to duty.

"He believed that public office was a sacred trust, never an avenue for personal enrichment, but a solemn responsibility to serve.

"He approached leadership with quiet resolve rather than theatrical flourish, convinced that duty must always take precedence over convenience, and that service must outweigh self-interest," Amosun said.

Reflecting on their relationship, the senator said he had the privilege of knowing Buhari beyond official engagements, describing him as thoughtful in counsel, measured in judgment, loyal in friendship and appreciative of those who stood by him through difficult and successful moments alike.

He said Buhari's encouragement during defining periods of his political career remains one of the greatest honours of his life.

Amosun also revealed that one of the late President's most remarkable qualities was his unwavering belief in the goodness of people.

According to him, Buhari trusted others easily and expected honesty, openness and loyalty from those around him because those were the values he personally upheld.

"There was one aspect of President Buhari's character that I often reflected upon. He believed deeply in the essential goodness of people. He trusted easily, perhaps more than many realised. He expected others to be as open, as honest and as faithful to their word as he strove to be himself.

"Even in the demanding and often unforgiving business of nation-building, he approached men and women with a sincerity that assumed honour would be reciprocated, a man with a good heart," he said.

Amosun urged Nigerians to rise above political divisions in assessing Buhari's legacy, arguing that the true measure of leadership lies not in offices occupied or elections won but in the enduring values a leader leaves behind.

He called on public office holders to emulate Buhari's commitment to integrity, sacrifice, discipline and service, saying those principles remain timeless regardless of political circumstances.

As he reflected on the passage of time since Buhari's death, Amosun recalled the late President's familiar expression, "Oh, my Good God," which he often uttered in moments of joy or surprise.

"Today, standing in grateful remembrance, those same words return to me, but with a different emotion: 'Oh, my Good God… how time flies,'" he remarked.

The former governor concluded by praying for Allah to forgive Buhari's shortcomings, accept his service to Nigeria and grant him Al-Jannatul Firdaus.

He also urged Nigerians to live lives of honour and service so they too would be remembered for positively impacting humanity.