Nigeria continues to mourn the passing of former President Muhammadu Buhari, whose death on Sunday in a London clinic has drawn an outpouring of grief from prominent national figures across political and professional lines.
Buhari, who died at the age of 82 after a prolonged illness, served as Nigeria’s military Head of State between January 1984 and August 1985, and later returned as a two-term democratically elected president from 2015 to 2023. He was widely regarded as a symbol of discipline and integrity, with his leadership leaving lasting imprints on Nigeria’s political landscape.
Reacting to the news, former Governor of Ekiti State, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, described the late leader in deeply personal terms. “A good man departs. A very, very good man,” he wrote. “May Almighty Allah forgive his shortcomings and grant him Aljanah Firdausi. Ameen.” Fayemi’s words echoed the sentiments of many Nigerians who saw Buhari as a man of principle and rare moral strength.
In Osun State, Governor Ademola Adeleke expressed profound sorrow over the former president’s death, describing it as a painful national loss. Adeleke noted that Buhari’s contributions to national development would remain evergreen, adding that he was not just a political figure but a reference point for ethical governance.
“Throughout his lifetime, President Buhari was a watchword for integrity, inspiring honesty and selfless service in public office,” the governor said in a statement.
Adeleke also extended condolences to President Bola Tinubu, whom he described as having lost a comrade in the task of nation-building. He further sympathised with the First Lady, Mrs. Aisha Buhari, the people of Katsina State, and the Daura Emirate, stating that Buhari’s life and leadership had deeply touched the state he hailed from and the country at large.
Similarly, former Sokoto State Governor and Senator, Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, said Buhari’s death marked the end of an era in Nigeria’s national life.
Reflecting on their working relationship during his time as governor, Tambuwal said despite belonging to different political parties, Buhari remained accessible and committed to the unity of the country.
“President Buhari was deeply committed to the nation and remained consistent in his principles — even when those principles were unpopular,” he noted.
Tambuwal also acknowledged Buhari’s role in shaping modern Nigeria, describing him as a man whose leadership had left an indelible mark on the nation’s democratic journey.
From outside government circles, Director-General of the World Trade Organization (WTO), Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, joined the national mourning with a message of disbelief and sadness. “Unbelievable! I did not know just how ill President Buhari was. Minutes after sending my get-well wishes, I learned that he had passed,” she wrote on her official X (formerly Twitter) handle.
“I’m very sad. May his soul rest in perfect peace. My deepest condolences to the entire Buhari family and his close aides and associates.”
Buhari’s death was officially confirmed in a statement released by his former media aide, Garba Shehu. President Bola Tinubu, in his own reaction, ordered national flags to be flown at half-staff and dispatched Vice President Kashim Shettima to London to accompany the late president’s body back to Nigeria.
The move, observers say, reflects the weight of Buhari’s legacy and the nation’s desire to accord him a dignified farewell.
