PRESIDENT Bola Tinubu, his counterpart in Guinea-Bissau, Umaru Sissoco Embaló, Prime Minister Ali Lamine Zeine of Niger, and former President of Niger, Issoufou Mahamadou, were among the long list of eminent personalities who graced the burial of late former President Muhammadu Buhari, in Daura, Katsina, yesterday.
Also present were Vice President Kashim Shettima, former Vice Presidents Atiku Abubakar, Yemi Osinbajo, governors, former governors, serving and former ministers, and industrialists, including Aliko Dangote.
The burial came as Catholic Bishop of Sokoto Diocese, Matthew Hassan Kukah, in his tribute, said the late former president was a good man whose assessment should not be based only on his eight-year presidency.
Kukah’s tribute came as the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Mohammed Sa’ad Abubakar III, also paid a tribute, describing Buhari as a leader who came, saw, and conquered.
At exactly 5:50 pm yesterday, the remains of the late former president were lowered into Mother Earth, bringing to an end his 82-year sojourn on earth. Before Buhari’s body was interred, the Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Chris Musa, had read the biography of the late Nigerian president and poured encomiums on him and his leadership style.
The military also carried out routine military honours due to a former General and president, while clerics performed necessary Islamic rites before the grave was covered by Islamic traditions applicable in Daura Emirate.
Vice President Shettima, who sat at the graveside to supervise the burial, along with notable other politicians, wore a sombre look throughout the funeral rituals. The military and other security agencies had a tough time controlling the crowd of sympathisers who had taken over the vast compound and adjoining areas in Daura just to catch a final glimpse of the late military and civilian leader.
The remains of former President Muhammadu Buhari had been driven from the Musa Yar’Adua International Airport in a motorcade to his country home in Daura, where thousands of Nigerians had been waiting for the final rites and burial.
Security was very tight in his home as every available space had been taken up by mourners who were desperate to pay their final respects to their hero and leader. The body was accompanied to Daura by Vice President Kassim Shettima and some members of Buhari’s immediate family, including Aisha, his wife.
Buhari, who was born in Daura in the present Katsina State, ruled Nigeria as military head of state between 1983 and 1985 and came back as civilian president in 2015 till 2023 when he handed over power to President Bola Tinubu.
Before the final burial, President Bola Tinubu had received his remains from London at the Umaru Musa Yar’Adua International Airport in Katsina.“Tinubu arrived at the airport from Abuja at 1:42 p.m. and inspected a guard of honour before the Nigerian Air Force plane conveying the remains of his predecessor landed at exactly 1:51 p.m.
Buhari could have died long ago if he relied on Nigerian hospitals – Femi Adesina
Speaking on Buhari’s passing yesterday, former presidential spokesperson, Femi Adesina, said his boss could have died a long time ago if he had relied on Nigerian hospitals.
Recall that when he was president, Buhari travelled to London for medical treatment on several occasions, a development that sparked public outcry on foreign medical tourism of public officials and the poor state of Nigerian hospitals.
Speaking during Channels Television’s coverage of Buhari’s burial, Adesina said Nigeria lacked “expertise” needed to handle Buhari’s health.
He said Buhari had always been treating himself in the UK before he was elected president, adding that those who criticised him for foreign medical treatment should know that he must be alive to effect change in his own country.
Buhari exemplified integrity, rule of law — Chief Emami
On his part, a chieftain of All Progressives Congress, APC, Chief Ayiri Emami, said Buhari exemplified integrity and stood stoutly for the rule of law throughout his lifetime. “Chief Emami in a statement he personally signed yesterday, described the ex-President and Head of State as a statesman absolutely committed to the Nigerian project and founding principles of the All Progressives Congress till his painful exit.
Emami, who served as Deputy Director, Election Planning and Monitoring Committee of the Presidential Campaign Committee of President Buhari’s re-election in 2019, recalled the contributions of the late President to the economy as petroleum minister under the Olusegun Obasanjo military regime and as civilian President between 2015 and 2019.
“As petroleum minister under General Obasanjo, he supervised the construction of 21 depots across the country, invested in pipelines and storage facilities and built the pipeline network, connecting the Bonny terminal and Port Harcourt refinery.
“As democratically elected President, he successfully constructed the Warri – Itakpe Rail Line as well as the Second Niger Bridge. These are just a few of the indelible legacies of President Buhari.” “The APC chieftain also recalled that as sitting President, Buhari never interferred with the democratic process which, he noted, made it possible for the victory of opposition parties in certain off-season elections held under his watch.
He also commended the late President for loyalty to the APC and his successor, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
“Itsekiri as a tribe, which is firmly rooted in the rule of law and fairness, would not forget Buhari for upholding these virtues.
Nigeria lost soldier of spartan discipline— Afe Babalola
Also yesterday, the founder of Afe Babalola University, Ado-Ekiti, ABUAD, Aare Afe Babalola, described the late President Muhammadu Buhari as a solder of spartan discipline, whose sincere commitment to the rule of law and due process was second to none.
The elder statesman said the country has lost one of her most illustrious sons and a statesman of remarkable moral conviction, whose life was a long journey of service, sacrifice and unwavering fidelity to the Nigerian project.
The legal luminary recounted his encounter with the former President during a legal contest, saying his conduct as a former Military Head of State throughout the trial was impressive, as he submitted himself to judicial scrutiny with patience and dignity, which underscored his unwavering belief that democracy must be anchored on justice.
Buhari’s name is synonymous with integrity —Pantami
More tributes came for the late former president, even as he was being buried in Daura, with former Minister of Communication and Digital Economy, Ali Isa Pantami, saying he had never doubted his integrity.
He said: “Muhammadu Buhari’s name is synonymous with integrity. One may argue if you don’t know him but for those of us who interacted with him for several years, there is no doubt that his name is synonymous with integrity because I lived with him for 25-years and Almighty is my witness, I have never doubted that integrity through my interactions with him.
“Part of his legacy that I always remembered is his patriotism, discipline and critical thinking.”
Buhari stood firm, loved Nigeria – Boss Mustapha
Also paying tribute to the late former president, former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, SGF, Boss Mustapha, described his death as the end of a defining chapter in Nigeria’s national journey.
Mustapha hailed Buhari as a man of discipline, restraint and unwavering patriotism, whose life and leadership were anchored on service to a cause greater than self.
“President Buhari was above all, a patriot who believed without wavering in the idea of Nigeria. Through decades of uncertainty, transition and transformation, he remained committed to the principle that this country, despite its imperfections, is worth believing in, worth defending, and worth holding together,” he said.
The former SGF described Buhari as a leader who eschewed flamboyance and personal gain, choosing instead to embody values of honour and responsibility.
He said: “He (Buhari) did not seek noise; he did not chase favour. He believed that a nation’s greatness must be anchored on values, honour, responsibility and service to a cause greater than self. He stood firm when it was easier to bend, he held back when it was tempting to indulge.”
Mustapha noted further that Buhari’s style of leadership, though often quiet and understated, served as a powerful reminder that fidelity to principle could still define public service.
I’ll carry your memory with me — Buhari’s daughter, Noor
In an emotional tribute to her father, Noor Buhari, said via Instagram: “I’m heartbroken that we won’t get to share the moments and experiences I had planned for us.“I’ll always carry your memory with me. I pray that you’re granted the highest place in Jannah, and your soul rests in eternal peace Daddy.”
Buhari had humility, delegated power to a fault — Buba Galadima
Similarly, one of his long time friend and a chieftain of New Nigeria Peoples Party, NNPP, Buba Galadima, said in his tribute: ”Although I hadn’t met Buhari in the last 10 years, I still cherished our 15 years of working together.
”Nigerians know I was the operational head of his political machine. Whether you liked Buhari or not, you must admit he had humility and delegated power, sometimes to a fault. That was his weakness, he trusted too much and didn’t always supervise effectively. Many took advantage of that.
”His greatest legacy is his attitude, humility, and love for the poor. He was a man of law and order who believed in doing things by the book.
”However, his failure to enforce supervision allowed people to misuse his trust. Still, he resisted pressure from global bodies such as the International Monetary Fund, IMF, and the World Bank.”
|By Soni Daniel, Northern Region Editor, Henry Umoru, Dapo Akinrefon, Adesina Wahab, Johnbosco Agbakwuru, Bashir Bello, Femi Bolaji, Rotimi Ojomoyela & Musa Ubandawaki|
