- Tinubu, Shettima, Atiku, Osinbajo, Dangote, Thousands Pay Tribute in Daura
By Yinka Giwa | Daura
A wave of solemnity swept through Daura, Katsina State, yesterday as Nigeria laid to rest former President Muhammadu Buhari, whose death on Sunday in London marked the end of an era in Nigerian politics.
Predictably, the burial drew an extraordinary crowd of mourners, including sitting and former leaders, political allies, military officers, and thousands of citizens from all walks of life who came to honour the legacy of a man who shaped the country’s politics for over four decades.
Among the dignitaries were President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Vice President Kashim Shettima, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, former President Yemi Osinbajo, and Africa’s richest man, Aliko Dangote. Others included serving and former governors, traditional rulers, ministers, and religious leaders, all united in grief and reverence.
President Tinubu personally received Buhari’s remains at the Katsina Airport after the body was flown in from London, where he passed away following a yet-to-be-disclosed illness. Draped in full national colours, the casket was accompanied by full military honours, a 21-gun salute, and ceremonial processions.
Buhari was interred at his Daura residence at precisely 5:50 p.m.
The funeral, in line with Islamic rites, was marked by moments of deep reflection. Governor Dikko Radda of Katsina and several dignitaries wept openly, a testament to the deep affection and respect many held for the former president.
Known to millions as Mai Gaskiya, Hausa for “the truthful one”, Buhari was celebrated not only for his honesty and austere lifestyle, but also for his unwavering commitment to national unity, security, and the welfare of ordinary Nigerians.
His service to the country spanned nearly ten years at the helm, first as military head of state from 1984 to 1985, and later as a democratically elected president from 2015 to 2023. He remains the only Nigerian leader to have defeated a sitting president in a general election, marking a turning point in Nigeria’s democratic history.
Analysts maintain that Buhari’s leadership was defined by key efforts to restore discipline in public life, strengthen anti-corruption institutions, and invest heavily in infrastructure. They also credit him with repositioning Nigeria’s agricultural sector and advancing social investment programmes that touched the lives of millions.
Beyond politics, Buhari’s personal integrity, simplicity, and devotion to public service earned him admiration across Nigeria and beyond. His deep bond with the people of the North, particularly the rural poor, formed the foundation of a political movement that reshaped Nigeria’s electoral map and brought the All Progressives Congress (APC) to power in 2015.
In his remarks, President Tinubu described Buhari as “a patriot whose contributions to Nigeria’s unity and development will be remembered for generations.” Former President Osinbajo hailed him as “a leader who kept faith with the Nigerian people,” while Atiku Abubakar praised his “discipline, honesty, and deep sense of national duty.”
Buhari’s passing is being marked by a seven-day period of national mourning, with flags flown at half-mast and condolence registers opened across Nigeria and in missions abroad.
As the sun set over the ancient town of Daura, where it all began in 1942, Nigerians from every region and background paid their final respects to a leader who gave his life to the service of the country.
Observers note that though opinions may vary on aspects of his presidency, there is widespread agreement on one point: Muhammadu Buhari changed the course of Nigerian history, and that he leaves behind a legacy of integrity, perseverance, and patriotic sacrifice that will echo long after the mourning ends.