Gen. Lucky Irabor, a former Chief of Defence Staff, has revealed that he was appointed by the late President Muhammadu Buhari in 2021 without ever meeting him in person.
In a tribute on Tuesday, Irabor described Buhari as “a disciplined and deeply principled leader” who governed with quiet confidence and placed great trust in those he appointed.
He said: “Before he appointed me as chief of defence staff on 26 January 2021, I had never met him personally.
“Like many Nigerians, I knew him only from a distance, through the pages of history, the news, and the reverence with which he was spoken of in military circles.”
He recalled Buhari’s words to him shortly after the appointment:“I have never met you before, but I have heard of your performance. I hope you will not disappoint.”
Irabor said that simple statement reflected Buhari’s leadership style, one grounded in delegation, trust, and confidence in the people he selected to serve.
He described the late president as a man of few words, but one who listened attentively, never interrupted, and never micromanaged.
His words: “In President Buhari, I encountered a leader who sat for hours, attentive and composed, never once calling for a break.
“I once asked him, half in jest, how he found the patience and strength. He only smiled.”
He said Buhari’s calm and observant leadership style was sometimes misunderstood as aloofness, but those who worked closely with him knew it stemmed from deep conviction and character.
“I am profoundly grateful for the opportunity to have served in his administration.
“To my Commander-in-Chief, my Principal – President Muhammadu Buhari – at the sound of the Last Post, rest well. You fought the good fight. May your soul find eternal peace in the bosom of the Almighty,” he stated.
