By Peter Omopo / July 16, 2025
Retired Chief of Defence Staff, General Lucky Irabor, has made a startling revelation about his 2021 appointment, stating that he had never met former President Muhammadu Buhari prior to being named Nigeria’s top military officer.
Irabor disclosed this on Tuesday in a tribute to the late President, who died on Sunday in a London hospital at the age of 82.
Describing Buhari as “a good man and a disciplined, deeply principled leader,” the former CDS praised the late president’s leadership style, highlighting his unwavering trust in the individuals he appointed to positions of responsibility.
“I had never met you before,” Irabor recalled, referencing his first official encounter with Buhari. “But you said to me, ‘I have heard of your performance. I hope you will not disappoint.’”
Irabor said that moment captured Buhari’s essence as a leader who trusted based on merit and track record, not personal familiarity or politics.
He added that the late president was not one to micromanage or interfere in operational matters, often allowing his appointees the space to perform while holding them accountable.
“His quiet confidence was often misunderstood,” Irabor said. “But those of us who worked closely with him recognized it as a true mark of his character.”
Irabor’s reflections added to the growing tributes pouring in from across Nigeria and beyond, as political leaders, military figures, and citizens continue to mourn the former president and reflect on his legacy.
