Arewa leaders have expressed grief and shock over the death of former President Muhammadu Buhari, saying that his passing marked the end of an era in Nigerian politics.

Among those who reacted to Buhari’s death in a London hospital on Sunday were the Arewa Youth Consultative Forum (AYCF), Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) and a former scribe of the forum, Elder Anthony Sani.

In a statement condoling the immediate family of the ex-President and Nigerians, the President General of ACF, Yerima Shettima said, “the passing of President 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.”

“To his immediate family, we extend our deepest sympathies. The loss of a father, grandfather, and husband is immeasurable, and we stand with you in this time of grief. We also call upon all Nigerians to honour his memory by continuing to work towards the unity and progress of our beloved country,” he added.

Shettima remarked that “the Arewa Youth Consultative Forum calls 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,” saying, “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.”

On his part, the ACF National Publicity Secretary, Professor Tukur Muhammad-Baba, said, “It is with great sadness that the Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) received news of the death of General Muhammadu Buhari (Rtd.), the immediate past President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and, until this event, one of four surviving former Nigerian Heads of States.”

He further stated, “General Buhari had led a life full of momentous activities, not surprising for a personality who had twice served as Chief Executive of Nigeria, first as Military Head of State (1983 – 1985), then as twice democratically elected President (2015 – 2023), as well as Military Governor of the defunct Northeastern State (now Adamawa, Bauchi, Borno, Gombe, Taraba and Yobe states) (1975 – 1979), and Federal Minister of Petroleum Re-sources.”

He said, “Additionally, Buhari had also served command posts in the military and actively fought in the 1967-1970 Civil War, which ended in the unification of Nigeria, among his numerous other national outings. The late retired General was therefore a recurring decider in policy and governance circles in Nigeria for the past 60 years.

“Perhaps as should be expected, late General Buhari’s services to Nigeria could not have failed to elicit mixed reactions and evaluations from friends and foes alike. Those different times he had served incorporated momentous and often controversial episodes in Nigeria’s checkered history. It is to be expected that some of the controversies and other memories as his legacies will linger and be subjected to analyses,” Muhammad-Baba added.

However, he remarked, “There is no Nigerian alive today who enjoyed the love and loyalty of the Nigerian downtrodden, especially in the North, like the late President Muhammadu Buhari. ACF mourns Gen. Buhari and prays for the peaceful repose of his soul in Aljanna Fir-daus. ACF equally extends condolences to his family and friends, the people and Government of the Federation, Katsina State and beyond.”

Meanwhile, in his condolence message, ACF former scribe, Sani said that “the demise of former President Buhari is a huge loss to not only his loved ones but to the whole country. May God give them what it takes to endure what cannot be changed. My heart and head are with them.”

Sani also said, “The former president now enjoys the peace associated with death and the pains of what he has left behind by way of challenges confronting the nation. Former President Buhari may be no more because no one can fill the void he has left behind. But in a way, he is very much around, since he needs no tombstone to remind us of his legacy.”