The book launch of Mallam Garba Shehu was far beyond a book launch; it was a subliminal farewell gathering for a good man who had fulfilled his earthly tasks and accomplished his deeds — it was a gathering of friends, families, contemporaries, colleagues, and subordinates — it was the last rite of passage for former President Muhammadu Buhari at the Musa Yar’Adua Centre.
The atmosphere lacked the usual conviviality that defines such a high-profile event — most people strolled in wearing forlorn faces. Visibly among them was Femi Adesina — known for his infectious ebullience and boisterousness, he was a stark shadow of his old self. Femi was all drenched in gloom — near absent-minded and struggling to be all right! Sadly, he couldn’t hide his emotions. I walked up to him and asked, “Chief, is it the absence of President Buhari at this event that makes you this withdrawn and not your usual self?” He forced a dry smile that still betrayed his countenance. It was obvious Femi was enveloped in the premonition that his boss, Muhammadu Buhari, was on an eternal transition.
Mallam Garba Shehu was equally soaked in this same feeling of a looming loss — he was visibly shaken and absent-minded, even when it was his day. He climbed the rostrum to speak — in shaken words, he asked the hall to rise in prayers for the health of the former leader. The signs were there; the time was only unknown, and the story was eventually written when it was solemnly announced that Muhammadu Buhari had passed on — bringing to an end a chapter in the life voyage of an icon, a mystery, and a phenomenon.
My son, Muhammadu Buhari Abdullahi, was also in the vehicle of that premonition — he kept speaking in unexplained innuendos before the event. He would say, “I wish he would be there — to see him and shake him.” This would later make sense to me when it was announced Baba would not be at the book launch. And the deep, eerie instinct in me triggered a signal that perhaps the end had come for this iconic enigma. Yes, it came to pass.
However, one thing was certain — prior to his demise, the world stood in proud appreciation of his existence. He had dominated the newsline in the last few weeks — like the mystery man he was, he drew reverent attention to his last days.
To the good man that we lost, it was a life well spent. You came unannounced but left behind permanent pages of impactful references in the history and wall map of life. Adieu, my mentor, my hero, and my eternal obsession.
My name is Abdullahi O. Haruna Haruspice,
Eternal Buharist,
Author of the book “The Buhari In Us”.
Sorely musing.
