Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has paid a glowing tribute to his former Chief of Staff, Major General Abdullahi Adangba Muhammed (rtd), describing him as a “patriotic Nigerian and a man of rare integrity.”

The late Muhammed, who passed away at the age of 86, served as Chief of Staff to President Obasanjo from 1999 to 2007, and later to President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua from 2007 to 2008.

In a statement issued by his Special Assistant on Media, Kehinde Akinyemi, on Wednesday, Obasanjo expressed shock at the news of Muhammed’s passing, recalling his exceptional service and loyalty both in the military and in public life.

“The late Maj-Gen. Abdul Mohammed was a diligent and conscientious soldier who served his nation with patriotic zeal and distinguished himself in many spheres of military and public life,” Obasanjo said.

The former president described him as “a bundle of integrity and incorruptibility,” noting that as Military Governor of the old Benue-Plateau State between 1975 and 1976, Muhammed displayed exemplary leadership and devotion to duty.

Explaining why he chose Muhammed as his Chief of Staff during Nigeria’s return to democracy in 1999, Obasanjo said:

“At the point that I decided to have a Chief of Staff with military background, as part of the gradual transition from military to democracy, I wanted someone I could trust absolutely — someone I knew well and who knew me well. I could not find a better person than Maj-Gen. Abdullahi Mohammed.”

Obasanjo praised Muhammed’s professionalism and competence, saying he made the running of the presidency “an easy undertaking.”

He also acknowledged that it was at his request that Muhammad continued in the same role briefly under the Yar’Adua administration to help ensure a smooth handover.

“Abdul was a true soldier and a great nationalist who fought for Nigeria’s unity with complete dedication to the ideal of fairness and justice. The history of Nigeria’s unity, democracy, and good governance cannot be written without ample reference to his patriotic and selfless service,” Obasanjo added.

Concluding his tribute, the former president extended his condolences to the family and prayed:

“May Allah (SWT) forgive him and grant him Jannatul Firdausi. Ameen.”