President Bola Tinubu has described the late former President Muhammadu Buhari as a patriot, soldier, and statesman who served Nigeria with honour, integrity, and unwavering dedication to national unity.
Tinubu, in a statement he personally signed, announced the passing of his predecessor who died earlier on Sunday at a hospital in the United Kingdom following a prolonged illness.
“It is with profound sorrow and a heavy heart that I received the news of the passing of His Excellency, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (Rtd), GCFR, my predecessor, who departed this life today,” President Tinubu said.
Paying tribute to the former leader, Tinubu said Buhari’s entire life was defined by “duty, honour, and a deep commitment to the unity and progress of our nation.”
He noted that the late Buhari served Nigeria through some of its most turbulent periods — first as military Head of State from January 1984 to August 1985, and later as a democratically elected president from 2015 to 2023 — and did so with “quiet strength, profound integrity, and an unshakable belief in Nigeria’s potential.”
“He stood firm through the most turbulent times, leading with quiet strength, profound integrity, and an unshakable belief in Nigeria’s potential,” Tinubu said. “He championed discipline in public service, confronted corruption head-on, and placed the country above personal interest at every turn.”
Tinubu revealed that he had spoken with the late president’s widow, Mrs. Aisha Buhari, to offer his condolences, and extended his sympathies to the entire Buhari family and all Nigerians mourning the loss.
“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,” Tinubu said.
The President also extended condolences to the government and people of Katsina State, especially the Daura Emirate, where Buhari hailed from.
As part of national mourning, Tinubu ordered that all national flags fly at half-staff for seven days beginning Sunday.
“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,” the President declared.
He also announced that an emergency session of the Federal Executive Council (FEC) would be held on Tuesday, July 15, in honour of the late leader.
“I have also summoned an emergency Federal Executive Council session on Tuesday, dedicated to his honour,” he stated.
Tinubu further disclosed that the Federal Government will accord Buhari full state honours “befitting his towering contributions to our country.”
The President ended the statement with a solemn prayer. “May Allah forgive his shortcomings and grant him Al-Jannah Firdaus. And may his life continue to inspire generations of Nigerians to serve with courage, conviction, and selflessness.”
Buhari, a retired major general in the Nigerian Army, was Nigeria’s 7th military head of state and later the 15th president of the Federal Republic. He was 82.
