President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and other past presidents have paid tributes to the late former President, Muhammadu Buhari, as they are expected to gather in Daura today for the burial of the ex-President.
The body of the ex-president would be flown into the country in company of Vice-President Kashim Shettima, who was directed by the President, to immediately depart for London when the ex-leader died around 4:30 pm Sunday.
Sources from Presidency who spoke to Nigeria Project last night on condition of anonymity, confirmed that the former President’s remains would arrive the country early Monday and to be flown to his hometown – Daura, Katsina State, for burial.
“The burial is tomorrow (Monday). They’re bringing his corpse over the night. They’ll go straight to Daura. So, they’ll bury him tomorrow (Monday).
President Tinubu announced the passing of his predecessor who died following a prolonged undisclosed illness.
“President Tinubu has spoken with Mrs Aishat Buhari, the former President’s widow and offered his deep condolences,” a statement signed by his Special Adviser in Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, said in statement on Sunday.
The statement also said, President Tinubu has ordered VP Shettima to the UK to accompany his body back home.
“President Tinubu has also ordered Vice President Kashim Shettima to proceed to the United Kingdom to accompany President Muhammadu Buhari’s body back to Nigeria,” Onanuga further revealed.
Tinubu also ordered flags at half-staff as a mark of respect for the departed leader.
The President has also summoned an emergency session of the Federal Executive Council, FEC; scheduled for Tuesday, July 15, 2025, in honour of the deceased.
In a tribute he personally signed Sunday evening, the President confirmed that Buhari would be accorded full state Honours.
“As a mark of respect to our former leader, I have directed that all national flags fly at half-staff across the country for seven days from today,” Tinubu wrote.
He added, “I have also summoned an emergency Federal Executive Council session on Tuesday, dedicated to his honour.”
The President said the late Buhari’s passing filled him with “profound sorrow and a heavy heart,” adding that Nigeria has lost “a patriot, a soldier, a statesman.”
“President Buhari was to the very core, a patriot, a soldier, a statesman. His legacy of service and sacrifice endures.
“He served Nigeria with unwavering dedication, first as a military leader from January 1984 to August 1985, and later as a democratically elected President from 2015 to 2023.
“Duty, honour, and a deep commitment to the unity and progress of our nation defined his life,” Tinubu penned.
The President further described the deceased as a man who “stood firm through the most turbulent times, leading with quiet strength, profound integrity, and an unshakable belief in Nigeria’s potential.”
He praised Buhari’s efforts in confronting corruption and instilling discipline in public service.
“He championed discipline in public service, confronted corruption head-on, and placed the country above personal interest at every turn,” said Tinubu.
President Tinubu also acknowledged the people and traditional leadership of Daura, the late leader’s hometown in Katsina State.
He said, “In this moment of national mourning, I extend my deepest condolences to his beloved wife, Aisha, with whom I have been in constant touch, his children, the entire Buhari family, and all who knew and loved him.”
“I also extend my condolences to the government and people of Katsina State, most especially the people and traditional leaders of Daura Emirate,” he stated.
Obasanjo, Babangida, Osinbajo Pay Tributes
Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has described the late former President as a statesman, a colleague, a reputable soldier and co-patriot who will be sorely missed.
Obasanjo said, “I received this afternoon the passing of a colleague, a comrade, a co-patriot, Gen. Muhammad Buhari who as an administrator played his role as an administrator, as a soldier, he played his role as a soldier and as a statesman, he played his role as a statesman to the nation.
“His death is a great loss to the nation because at a time like this we need the totality of experience or what I may call the statesmanship of all those who have had the opportunity of governing this country in the past to get us out of our present situation.
“He would be sorely missed and may his soul rest in perfect peace.”
Also, former Military President, Ibrahim Babangida (retd.),said he was saddened with the sudden demise Buhari.
In a tribute, he said, “It is with a deeply heavy heart that I received the news of the passing of my friend, my brother, my course mate, and a fellow soldier in the journey of nationhood — President Muhammadu Buhari, GCFR.
“Our paths crossed in 1962 when we both joined the Nigerian Military Training College in Kaduna.
“From those early days, Muhammadu stood out — quiet yet resolute, principled yet humble, deeply patriotic and fiercely loyal to Nigeria.
“Through the years, we shared trenches and trials, dreams and disappointments, victories and moments of reflection.
“Our bond was forged not only by military training, but by a shared commitment to the ideals of service, discipline, and love for country.”
Former Vice President Yemi Osinbajo in a tribute to his former boss, describing him as “a true patriot” whose life exemplified discipline, integrity, and service to the nation.
In a tribute he personal signed on Sunday, the former VP said he and his wife, Dolapo, were deeply saddened by the news of Buhari’s passing in a London hospital earlier in the day.
He wrote, “Dolapo and I received, with profound sadness, the news of the passing of His Excellency, former President Muhammadu Buhari, GCFR, this afternoon.
“In the moments that followed, we spoke with Her Excellency Aisha Buhari and their son Yusuf Buhari to express our heartfelt condolences and to share in the deep grief of their beloved family—one with whom we had the honour of serving our nation for eight memorable years.”
The former number two-man described Buhari’s life as one marked by an unwavering devotion to the Nigerian people.
“Nigeria has lost a true patriot—a man whose life was marked by unyielding devotion to the nation he loved.
“President Buhari’s legacy will endure as a testament to the nobility of public service, defined by honesty, discipline, and an unwavering commitment to the public good,” he said.
“We pray that the Almighty God will grant comfort and strength to his family, and to all who mourn his passing. May his memory always be blessed,” Osinbajo wrote.
Osinbajo was the Vice President under Buhari from 2015 to 2023.
