By Senator BALA IBN NA'ALLAH

I had the privilege of meeting the late General Muhammadu Buhari personally sometime in 2004, shortly after the 2003 elections. It was at the Nnamdi Azikiwe Airport, Abuja. He was on his way to Katsina, perhaps after a court session. Although the aircraft scheduled to take him was already on the ground, I observed one of the handlers receiving an instruction not to allow General Buhari to board the aircraft.

Sensing the gravity of the situation, I decided to stay and watch how things unfolded. Eventually, it became clear that he would not be allowed to use the aircraft.

I approached him and offered to fly him to Katsina in my own aircraft. He accepted. We flew to Katsina and landed safely. After the flight, he asked how much he was to pay, but I politely declined. I told him that if he gave me the privilege of flying him anywhere within Nigeria, I would be greatly honored. He accepted with one condition: that he would be responsible for fueling the aircraft. We agreed, and that marked the beginning of my role as something of a personal pilot to him, a role I held until deep into the 2015 campaign period.

In all the years I flew him, he was late for a flight only once. He apologized sincerely, explaining that one of his friends had arrived late at his house, causing the delay.

As President, he continued to show me deep trust and respect. Through Ambassador Kazaure, he gave me unfettered access to him and graciously accepted some advice I offered from time to time, acting on many of them.

My last meeting with him was in London, where I had gone to see him and General Abdulsalami Abubakar. He was with Mamman Daura, and we had an insightful discussion on the challenges of governance in Nigeria. I gently advised him not to be in a hurry to return home. He responded with a smile and a joke: “What if I finish my money?” Senator Mohammed Hassan (Yobe) and I assured him that he had us and many others who would take care of him.

We said our goodbyes that day. Little did I know it would be the last time I would ever see him.

I pray that Allah (Subhanahu wa ta'ala) grants him Aljannatul Firdaus. May Allah protect and guide his family, and give them the strength to bear this great loss. Ameen.