- Tears, Tributes As Tinubu, Shettima, Dignitaries Bid Ex-President Farewell
- Maman Daura: We Were Already Planning To Return To Nigeria
In a moment of sober reflection fused with tears and tributes, former President Muhammadu Buhari has been laid to rest at his residence in Daura, Katsina State, following funeral prayers and interment attended by numerous dignitaries led by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
The ceremony, held at 5:50 p.m., drew dignitaries like Guinea-Bissau’s President Umaro Sissoco Embaló, Niger’s Prime Minister Ali Lamine Zeine, Vice President Kashim Shettima, former VP Yemi Osinbajo, Aliko Dangote, and other top officials.
Large crowds lined the streets of Daura and gathered at the former President’s residence to pay their last respects.
The former President’s final journey began on Tuesday afternoon, when his body arrived from London at Umaru Musa Yar’Adua International Airport in Katsina.
President Tinubu and other dignitaries escorted the late President’s remains on the hour-long drive to Daura.
Upon arrival, a brief lying-in-state ceremony was held at President Buhari’s residence, followed by the funeral prayer (Salatul Janazah) led by Sheikh Salisu Rabiu, the Imam of the Central Mosque in Daura.
President Tinubu and the late President’s close family members witnessed the final interment at 5.50 p.m
The state funeral was marked by full military honours, including a reveille and a 21-gun salute. A weeklong programme of events will continue with a condolence visit to President Buhari’s family by the Presidential Committee.
Meanwhile, the nephew of late President Buhari, Mamman Daura, has recounted what transpired during the last moment of the former President.
In an interview with Thisday, Daura revealed that he was with Buhari on Saturday, July 12, and that preparations were already underway for the former President’s return to Nigeria.
According to Daura, efforts were being made to settle the hotel bills of those who had travelled to London in support of Buhari ahead of his planned discharge.
He explained that he left Buhari’s bedside in high spirits on Saturday, with plans to return on Sunday, as Buhari had looked forward to a scheduled visit by his doctor that morning.
However, things took a critical turn on Sunday as Buhari’s condition reportedly worsened around mid-day.
By midday, he began experiencing breathing difficulties, prompting doctors to intervene. Despite their efforts, the former leader passed away at about 4.30pm.
“We were together on Saturday talking and laughing and Buhari was in high spirits in the London Clinic where he was admitted. We talked about everything. He even had the plan to depart for Nigeria upon his discharge this week and made sure that arrangements were made to sort out the hotel bills of everybody who was in London on his behalf before departing.
“I left him about 9pm on Saturday in high spirits and promised to see him on Sunday afternoon. He was looking forward to his doctor’s visit on Sunday morning.. But around midday, he started having breathing challenges and doctors rushed to his side to try and manage it. But unfortunately, around 4.30 pm, he gave up the ghost.” he said
