It was a tearful moment for Nigerians on Sunday following the announcement of the unfortunate death of former President, Muhammadu Buhari.
DAILY POST reports that President Bola Tinubu’s media aide Bayo Onanuga, who announced the sad development on Sunday evening, disclosed that the former Nigerian leader died in London, United Kingdom after a brief illness.
Although Buhari’s family failed to reveal the cause of his unfortunate demise, there are reports indicating that the former president battled blood cancer, leukemia, before he bowed.
The media has since been flooded with eulogies as leaders across the world and Nigerian politicians from both the ruling and the opposition parties continue to rain tribute for the foremost elder statesman.
Some socio-political organizations, including Afenifere and Arewa Youths in an exclusive chat with DAILY POST on Sunday, expressed utmost sadness over his death.
Buhari left legacies that cannot be forgotten easily – Afenifere
In a chat with DAILY POST, the National Publicity Secretary of the pan-Yoruba socio-political organization, Afenifere, Comrade Jare Ajayi expressed condolences.
According to Ajayi, the former president left legacies that cannot be forgotten easily.
“Among the things for which people will continue to remember him was how the administration he led, with the support of late General Tunde Idiagbon, made it known that Nigerians can lead a disciplined life.
“Unfortunately, the spirit of discipline his administration instilled in Nigerians was not sustained by successive administrations.
“Also, the noble image that his government as military Head of State would have earned was stained by some of the draconian steps that the administration took, including scant regard for human rights,” he said.
Ajayi added that Buhari’s second coming when he served as civilian President between 2015 and 2023 sort of demystified the public image he had as a ‘no-nonsense man’.
He noted that there is “one important lesson in his conduct towards winning the election that brought him in as President.
“This was the ‘never-say-die’ spirit that he demonstrated. After previous attempts that failed, some faint-hearted people would have given up, but he did not.
“The lesson here is that anyone pursuing a noble goal should not give up even if the initial attempts did not bear the desired result,” he added.
Ajayi stated that although his eight-year tenure as civilian president can be described as a ‘mix-grill’, “the man certainly did his best, given the challenges that he had.
Afenifere commiserated with President Ahmed Bola Tinubu, Buhari’s immediate family and the country “over the death of a man who had the fortune of leading the country first as a military head of state and as a civilian president. May the Almighty Allah forgive his sins and grant him Aljonnah Firdaos”.
Buhari’s death marks end of an era in Nigerian politics – Arewa Youths
On his part, Yerima Shettima, President General, Arewa Youth Consultative Forum, AYCF told DAILY POST that the passing of Buhari “marks the end of an era in Nigerian politics, and we take this moment to reflect on his life, legacy, and the profound impact he had on our nation.
Shettima described the sad incident as “immeasurable”, stating that the organization stands with the family of the former president “in this time of grief”.
He called on all Nigerians to honour Buhari’s “memory by continuing to work towards the unity and progress of our beloved country.
“We call on all citizens to reflect on the lessons learned from President Buhari’s life and to strive for a Nigeria that embodies his vision of integrity, unity, and progress.
“Let us come together as a nation to ensure that his legacy lives on through our collective efforts to build a better future for all Nigerians,” he stated.
Buhari set for burial today in Daura
The former president, whose remains are being accompanied back to Nigeria by Vice president Kashim Shettima and other government officials, will be laid to rest on Monday (today) at his home town, Daura.
Buhari to be buried in Daura Monday
Recall that when Buhari vacated Aso Rock on May 29 following the completion of his second tenure, he moved to his hometown, Daura, where he was reportedly taking care of his cattle.
However, Buhari on February 25, 2025 relocated back to his Kaduna residence, a move some Nigerians attributed to the build up of 2027 general elections.
Shortly after his demise on Sunday, hundreds of Nigerians gathered at his residence in Kaduna to mourn and pay their last respects.
Former Minister of Water Resources, Alhaji Suleiman Adamu, was said to be among the early visitors to the ex-president’s residence.
Security around the area has been reinforced as two military gun trucks were stationed at key points near the house, while armed soldiers patrolled the street.
Vehicular movement was restricted, and loitering around the narrow residential area was firmly discouraged by security operatives.
Our correspondent gathered that the situation was not different in Daura as security was beefed-up ahead of the burial.
