A Leader Who Refused to Fly Over Our Pain By Abdullahi Haruna Izge

A Leader Who Refused to Fly Over Our Pain By Abdullahi Haruna Izge

Leadership is truly tested not in times of comfort, but in moments of tragedy.

In 2019, while returning from Addis Ababa, President Muhammadu Buhari received devastating news, innocent travellers had been attacked in Auno, Borno State. Lives were lost, families were shattered, and a community was thrown into grief.

But President Buhari made a decision that many will never forget.

He turned to his pilot and said he could not continue to Abuja without first going to Maiduguri. In that moment, he chose empathy over protocol and humanity over convenience.

He landed in Maiduguri because he wanted the people of Borno to know one thing clearly:

They were not alone.

Standing on the soil of a state that had endured years of hardship, he met with the government and expressed his deep sympathy to the people. But beyond words, he moved immediately into action.

He instructed a team of ministers, including the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development, and other key officials to meet him in Maiduguri. There, he gave them clear directives to ensure that relief, support, and assistance reached those who needed it most.

Even after leaving Maiduguri for Abuja, the President did not rest.

He immediately summoned an emergency security meeting with the Service Chiefs, the Director of State Security, the Inspector General of Police, and other heads of security agencies. He demanded answers, solutions, and stronger actions to confront insecurity in the country.

For the people of Borno, this was more than a presidential visit.

It was a powerful message of solidarity.

Wallahi, many of us believe that even if an indigene of Borno had become president, he might not have done more than what President Muhammadu Buhari did for our state.

He showed us sincere concern.

He stood with us not only as a leader, but as someone who genuinely cared about our struggles. Through his support, opportunities were created, lives were rebuilt, and hope slowly returned to communities that had once felt forgotten.

Today, we remember him with gratitude.

Not just for policies or positions, but for the moments when he chose to stand beside us in our darkest hours.

Baba Buhari, you may have left this world, but the memory of your support and commitment to Borno will live on in the hearts of its people.

Your legacy of courage, compassion, and leadership will never fade.

Mungode Baba Buhari.

May Almighty Allah grant you eternal rest and place you among the righteous.