Tinubu Sends Shettima To Escort Buhari’s Body Back To Nigeria
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Sunday evening confirmed the death of former President Muhammadu Buhari, who passed away in London following a prolonged illness.
According to a statement issued by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, Buhari died at about 4:30 p.m. in the United Kingdom.
President Tinubu has since spoken with the former First Lady, Mrs. Aisha Buhari, to express his condolences over the loss.
In response to the development, the President directed Vice President Kashim Shettima to travel to the UK immediately to accompany Buhari’s body back to Nigeria.
As a mark of respect for the late former President, President Tinubu has also ordered all national flags to be flown at half-mast.
Muhammadu Buhari, who served as Nigeria’s Head of State from January 1984 to August 1985, returned to power in a democratic capacity after winning the presidential elections in 2015 and securing re-election in 2019.
Further details regarding funeral arrangements are expected to be announced in due course.
Earlier on Sunday, the former President’s aide, Garba Shehu, announced the passing of his principal, saying the former leader died in London, UK.
“The family of the former president has announced the passing on of the former president, Muhammadu Buhari, GCFR, this afternoon in a clinic in London,” he said.
“May Allah accept him in Aljannatul Firdaus, Amin.”
Shehu previously confirmed that the ex-Nigerian leader was ill and receiving treatment in the United Kingdom.
Buhari, who led Africa’s most populous country from 2015 to 2023 as a democratic leader, had been in the UK for months.
Last month, Buhari expressed regret over his inability to attend the 50th anniversary celebration of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) held in Lagos on May 28.
In a statement, he explained that medical assessments in the UK required his attention.
“Regrettably,… I am currently in the United Kingdom undergoing routine medical check-ups and therefore unable to attend this historic event,” Buhari stated then.
A photo which surfaced online in May showed Buhari with Abdulrasheed Bawa, former chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), during a visit to London.
The reason for Bawa’s visit was not disclosed.
