President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has directed Vice President Kashim Shettima to travel to London and accompany the remains of former President Muhammadu Buhari back to Nigeria.
The former president died at about 4.30pm on Sunday in a London clinic after a prolonged illness. His death was confirmed in an official statement issued by Tinubu’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga.
President Tinubu, who spoke with the widow of the late president, Mrs Aisha Buhari, expressed his deep condolences to the family and the nation.
“As a mark of respect for the departed leader, President Tinubu has ordered that national flags be flown at half-staff across the country and Nigerian missions abroad,” Onanuga stated.
The president had earlier sent Vice President Shettima to visit Buhari in the hospital earlier in the week when news of his critical health status surfaced.
Buhari served as Nigeria’s Head of State between 1984 and 1985 and later as a two-term democratically elected president from 2015 to 2023. His passing has triggered an outpouring of tributes from political leaders, allies, and citizens across the country.
Funeral arrangements are expected to be announced in the coming days.
