Vice President Kashim Shettima has led a high-level delegation to Daura, Katsina State, for the third-day prayers in honour of the late former President Muhammadu Buhari, who was buried on Tuesday in accordance with Islamic rites.
The delegation included the governor of Borno State, Prof. Babagana Umara Zulum; the governor of Katsina State, Dikko Umar Radda; ministers; senior government officials; and other sympathisers.
This visit, directed by President Bola Tinubu, was part of ongoing official and national mourning activities to pay respect to the late elder statesman.
President Tinubu had earlier led a presidential delegation to receive Buhari’s remains when they arrived at the Umaru Musa Yar’Adua International Airport in Katsina on Tuesday, after which the body was taken to Daura for burial.
The third-day prayer (Fidau), which holds significant religious and cultural meaning in Islamic traditions, is scheduled to take place on Wednesday at the late President’s residence in Daura. Vice President Shettima is expected to lead the government delegation in offering prayers for the repose of Buhari’s soul.
Buhari, Nigeria’s former military ruler (1983–1985) and democratically elected President (2015–2023), died in a London hospital on Saturday, July 13, at the age of 82. His remains were flown back to Nigeria on Tuesday and laid to rest later that day at his private residence in Daura, in line with his personal wishes and Islamic traditions.
Massive crowds had turned out in Katsina and Daura to pay their final respects, and condolence messages have continued to pour in from across Nigeria and the international community.
Stanley Nkwocha, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Communications (Office of the Vice President), confirmed the Vice President’s trip to Daura in a statement issued on Wednesday .
The statement read: “A day after the burial of the late former President Muhammadu Buhari, as directed by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Vice President Kashim Shettima, in company with the Governors of Borno and Katsina States, is leading some ministers and mourners to Daura for prayers at the late former President’s residence in Daura, Katsina State.”
President Tinubu, who described Buhari as a patriot, soldier, and statesman, had also directed all flags to fly at half-mast and declared a national mourning period in honour of the former leader.
The third-day prayer is expected to attract dignitaries from across Nigeria, including religious leaders, traditional rulers, and members of the diplomatic corps.
