‘An outstanding leader’ — Buhari, Atiku, Tinubu, Obi mourn Queen Elizabeth

Tributes have continued to pour in in honour of Queen Elizabeth II, who died on Thursday.

In a statement issued by Garba Shehu, presidential spokesman, President Muhammadu Buhari praised the late monarch for her contribution towards modernising Nigeria.

“My family and I, and the more than 200 million Nigerians have learned with immense sadness of the passing of the Queen and the end of her unique and wonderful 70-year reign. Her late Majesty was the only British Sovereign known to 90 percent of our population,” Buhari said.

“Our thoughts and sincere condolences are with the Royal Family and the people of the United Kingdom and the entire Commonwealth as we join the entire world in mourning her loss.

“The story of modern Nigeria will never be complete without a chapter on Queen Elizabeth ll, a towering global personality and an outstanding leader. She dedicated her life to making her nation, the Commonwealth and the entire world a better place.”

Buhari also congratulated King Charles III on his ascension to the throne and prayed that his reign “will witness the continuing robust and sisterly relations between our two nations”.

On his part, former President Goodluck Jonathan described the queen as a role model who promoted unity among countries.

“My deepest condolences to King Charles, the United Kingdom and the entire Commonwealth over the passing of HM Queen Elizabeth II, the longest reigning monarch in British history,” Jonathan said.

“She was a well-loved sovereign with a strong sense of duty and service, a champion of social change and a protagonist of modern Britain.

“Her Majesty was a remarkable matriarch who exemplified dignity, selflessness, and compassion and, for a long time, stood as a symbol of unity in the Commonwealth.

“Her death will be deeply felt across the world. May God comfort her family and grant her soul eternal repose.”

Atiku Abubakar, former vice-president and the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), in a statement, described the monarch’s passing as the end of an era.

“The passing of Queen Elizabeth II comes to everyone around the globe with a rude shock. Her passing is an end of a golden era. Her reign was epochal, not just in the United Kingdom but the entire Commonwealth,” he said.

“The world has known only one Queen, and the passing of Queen Elizabeth II will be the end of an impactful reign, and for the rest of our humanity, it shall be the beginning of history.

“My thoughts and prayers are with the people and government of the United Kingdom and, importantly, the royal family. May the soul of the Queen Rest in Peace.”

Bola Tinubu, presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), on his part, described the late queen as one of the country’s “greatest ever monarchs”, adding that “the world has lost a much cherished, revered and admired icon”.

“Her energy, dedication, deep sense of duty and firm belief in the glory of the United Kingdom, particularly in the most troubling and troubled times of her long and distinguished reign, are the lasting legacies for which she shall always be remembered,” Tinubu said.

“As the first British monarch to reach seven decades on the throne, her patriotic role birthed and sustained warm and enduring friendship between the United Kingdom and Nigeria.

“Her visits to these shores were always beautiful occasions and the respect and esteem with which she was always held by the Nigerian people helped to maintain the strong bond of friendship that subsists between our two nations.

“My family’s thoughts and prayers are with the new King, Charles III, the entire Royal Family and all commonwealth nations at this time of mourning and sadness. May she rest in eternal peace.”

Peter Obi, Labour Party (LP) presidential candidate, expressed sadness over the passing of the queen, and said his thoughts and prayers are with the royal family.

“Hers was an impactful reign and beautiful and explored life devoted to democratic ideals, charity, selflessness and empathy,” Obi tweeted.

“She will always be remembered by the lives, organisations, institutions and countries she positively touched during her reign.

“May she rest in eternal peace.”