Tinubu formally Announces Buhari’s Passing, Orders VP Shettima to Accompany Late President’s Body Back to Nigeria
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has formally announced the passing of former President Muhammadu Buhari, describing it as a solemn moment of national grief and honour.
According to a statement issued late Sunday, President Tinubu confirmed that Buhari died in London at about 4:30 p.m. following a prolonged illness. The late former president had been undergoing medical care in the United Kingdom in recent weeks.
In a swift response to the development, President Tinubu has spoken with Mrs. Aisha Buhari, the widow of the former president, offering his deep condolences and pledging the full support of the Nigerian government during this difficult time.
As part of the federal government’s immediate response, Tinubu directed Vice President Kashim Shettima to travel to the United Kingdom to accompany the remains of the late statesman back to Nigeria. This move underscores the symbolic and national importance of Buhari’s legacy and the dignity accorded to his passing.
“President Tinubu has ordered Vice President Kashim Shettima to proceed to the United Kingdom to accompany President Muhammadu Buhari’s body back to Nigeria,” the statement read.
In honour of the deceased, President Tinubu also directed that national flags be flown at half-staff across all public buildings and institutions, both within Nigeria and in foreign missions, as a mark of respect for the departed leader.
Muhammadu Buhari was one of Nigeria’s most prominent political and military figures. He served as Nigeria’s military Head of State from January 1984 to August 1985, following a coup that ousted the Shehu Shagari civilian administration. Decades later, he made history by becoming the first opposition candidate to defeat a sitting president at the polls, emerging victorious in the 2015 presidential election under the All Progressives Congress (APC). He was re-elected in 2019 and handed over power to President Tinubu on May 29, 2023.
Throughout his time in office, Buhari was known for his anti-corruption stance, conservative economic policies, and emphasis on infrastructure and agriculture, though his administration also faced criticisms over worsening insecurity and alleged human rights abuses.
Reactions to Buhari’s death have begun pouring in from across Nigeria and the international community, with tributes from political leaders, traditional rulers, and diplomats highlighting his disciplined leadership, austere lifestyle, and long-standing commitment to national service.
Funeral arrangements, in accordance with Islamic rites and state protocols, are expected to commence upon the arrival of the late president’s body in Abuja. A state burial is anticipated, with further details to be communicated by the Presidency and the late president’s family in the coming hours.
The former president is survived by his wife, children, grandchildren, and a political legacy that will remain deeply woven into Nigeria’s modern history.
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