• Military honours, massive crowd, tight security mark State funeral
• Event unites dignitaries from across political spectrum
• Buhari’s impact may not be replicated in thousand years, says Emir of Daura
• Late leader’s famed 12 million-vote legacy hovers over funeral scene
In death, former President Muhammadu Buhari attracted more sympathisers than his politics and austere lifestyle could accommodate in his lifetime, which exalted parsimony over popularity, pomp and pageantry.
That picture came to full display, yesterday, in Daura, Katsina State, when Nigeria’s former leader, Muhammadu Buhari, was laid to rest.
At the colourful event led by President Bola Tinubu, the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Christopher Musa, read the citation. They followed the symbolic folding of the Nigerian flag and handing it over to the family of the late President Muhammadu Buhari.
That ritual marked the beginning of the final journey of the former military head of state, whose tour of duty included eight years as civilian President and Commander-in-Chief of the very Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, his first love.
A sea of heads, including heads of government, diplomatic community, captains of industry, politicians of all shades, friends and military colleagues, were at the graveside yesterday when the former President was committed to Mother Earth in his native Daura, Katsina State.
At the head of the sombre assemblage was Buhari’s successor in office, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, who had arrived in the sleepy North-West state of Katsina by 1.50 p.m. to await the federal government contingent that travelled to London to bring back the remains of the former leader.
Vice President Kashim Shettima, Chief of Staff to the President Femi Gbajabiamila, the late president’s widow Aisha Buhari, and other family members accompanied the body on its journey home.
President Tinubu was joined at the tarmac to receive the casket by Vice President Shettima; President Umaro Sissoco Embaló of Guinea-Bissau; Prime Minister of the Niger Republic, Ali Lamine Zeine; former Nigerien President Issoufou Mahamadou; and Nigeria’s former Vice President Yemi Osinbajo.
A joint military pallbearing team, comprising nine senior officers from the Army, Navy, and Air Force, conveyed the flag-draped casket onto a trolley in a stately, slow march.
Coordinated by Major General Mike Alechenu, the pallbearers included Major General Mohammed Usman, Major General Oluwafemi Williams, Major General Shuaibu Nuhu, Rear Admiral Suleiman Dahun, Rear Admiral Jonathan Ajodo, Rear Admiral Samuel Ngatuwa, Air Vice Marshal Adeniyi Herbert Amesinlola, Air Vice Marshal Idi Sanni, and Air Vice Marshal Obinna Obiabaka.
The cortege moved in synchrony to the hymn “God Be With You Till We Meet Again”, as the casket passed through a full military guard of honour consisting of six officers and 96 personnel drawn from the Nigerian Armed Forces.
President Tinubu and other dignitaries followed on foot in a solemn procession as the remains were placed into a waiting military hearse for the final journey to Daura, Buhari’s hometown, where funeral prayers and interment were scheduled.
Katsina State governor, Dikko Radda, welcomed the remains with profuse tears amid a mammoth crowd of indigenes, some of whom were wailing and others exposing sad but vacant visages, just as security personnel had hard time maintaining order and decorum as they paved the long stretch of road leading to and inside Daura, especially around the late president’s residence.
Other dignitaries that accompanied the remains from the United Kingdom were the Deputy Chief of Staff to the President (Office of the Vice President), Ibrahim Hassan Hadejia; Borno State Governor, Prof. Babagana Umara Zulum; and Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Tuggar.
The Nigerian Air Force aircraft bearing the late president’s casket touched down at exactly 1:51 p.m., shortly after President Tinubu arrived from Abuja at 1:42 p.m. and inspected a ceremonial guard of honour.
Buhari, who served as both military and civilian Head of State, died on Sunday, July 13, 2025, in a London hospital at the age of 82.
The state funeral included full military honours, highlighted by a 21-gun salute in tribute to the late Nigerian leader.
The former President was buried in the compound premises of his private residence, in Daura, Katsina State, at about 5.30 p.m., under the shade of trees where he usually sat to wind down, and interact with friends and associates.
Immediately after the burial, security operatives fired 21-gun salutes intermittently at the entrance of his private residence, while three shots were fired at exactly 5.33 p.m., another three some two minutes later, until the entire sequence of shots was completed.
The last journey…
President Bola Tinubu, alongside Katsina State Governor, Dr Dikko Radda, his Deputy, Faruk Lawal, among other prominent personalities, received the body at the airport. Buhari’s remains was accompanied from the United Kingdom by Vice President Kashim Shettima; Chief of Staff to the President, Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila; Deputy Chief of Staff to the President (Office of the Vice President), Sen. Ibrahim Hassan Hadejia; Borno State Governor, Prof. Babagana Umara Zulum; and Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Tuggar.
In a symbolic moment, First Lady of Nigeria, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, received the First Lady of the late President, Hajiya Aisha Buhari, upon arrival in the state.
Top government officials, traditional leaders, and ruling All Progressive Congress (APC) stalwarts gathered to pay their last respects, describing Buhari’s passing as the end of an era in Nigeria’s political and moral landscape.
Upon arrival in Daura, about an hour’s drive from Katsina, his body was briefly laid in state for friends, family members, and other relevant persons to say their final goodbyes.
A prominent Imam, Ustaz Hassan Yusuf, led other prominent personalities in the funeral prayer that marked part of the burial rites.
The funeral prayer, which also lasted a few minutes, was completed at exactly 4:56 p.m. at the heli-pad site where helicopters that ferry him when he comes to town touch down.
Prior to the committal to Mother Earth, hundreds of residents held funeral prayers for the late president, with some of them shedding tears while supplicating for the repose of his soul.
Thousands gathered at the former president’s private residence, and the road leading to the house, with many of them talking in low tones about the life and times of the late president.
The security cordon was tight around the late president’s home and within Daura town. A similar security presence was observed at the state’s international airport and within the state’s metropolitan area.
Some Daura residents, who spoke with The Guardian, described the president as a humble, honest, and simple person, who always had the love of Nigeria at heart.
They said Daura will never be the same again without him, even as they prayed for the repose of his soul, and fortitude to bear the loss, for his family members.
Emir of Daura, Alhaji Farouk Umar, said the state and Nigeria at large had lost a great man. He said what Buhari did for Daura and Nigeria may not be replicated in a thousand years to come, adding that the former president would surely be missed.
12 million-plus votes
The smell that oozed from the gathering was as varied as the colours and complexion of the mourners, with many of the loyalists, friends, and contemporaries of the late former President shelving other engagements to pay their last respects to the departed leader.
The political undertone of the event was not lost on close observers as the politicians from across the various divides, particularly from the north, thronged the Government Reservation Area of the late Buhari.
It was obvious that at stake were the inheritance of the legendary 12 million-plus votes that the departed soldier-turned-politician was always credited with in successive presidential polls.
Politicians that were in attendance included Yahaya Bello, Ali-Modu Sheriff, Patami, Rotimi Amaechi, Senator Aliyu Wamakko, former Sokoto State governor, Senator Aminu Tambuwal, former Katsina governor, Rt. Hon. Aminu Bello Masari, former Governor of Ekiti State, Dr Fayemi Kayode, former Minister of Women Affairs, Pauline Talin, and Emir of Daura, Faruk Umar Faruk.
Others are the former DSS boss, Bichi, 15th Emir of Kano, Aminu Ado Bayero, Minister of Aviation, Hadi Sirika, Governor of Bauchi, Bala Muhammed; Presidential candidate of the PDP, Atiku Abubakar; former Governor of Kebbi State, Senator Adamu Aliero, former IG of Police, Abubakar Adamu, Ambassador Babagana Kingibe; Emir of Zaria, Bamali, former Minister of Defence, Yayale Ahmed; former Minister of Communication, Adebayo Shittu.
Also, among the prominent faces were former Governor of Ogun State, Chief Segun Osoba, who is set to mark his 86th birthday on July 15 but chose to travel to Daura instead, to honour the former military Head of State and civilian President whom he described as a quintessential leader.
Also present in Daura was former Minister of Health, Dr. Olorunnimbe Mamora, who served under the late President. Speaking in a telephone conversation, Mamora explained how he abandoned pressing commitments to honour “one of the most upright Nigerians” he ever worked with.
The outpouring of respect for the late General transcended party affiliations. Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Council of the Federal University of Transportation, Daura (FUTD), Wahab Owokoniran, said the institution would immortalise Buhari by surpassing the expectations he had for it.
Owokoniran, an APC chieftain and former PDP Secretary in Lagos State, stated:
“The challenge is to exceed expectations and make FUTD an international centre of excellence, as a mark of honour for the heroic contributions of the late President to education and progressive leadership.
“As Chairman of the Governing Council, every possible effort will be deployed to ensure the university achieves the standard and productivity envisioned at its founding.”
He described Buhari’s death as a devastating loss to Daura, the university community, and the country at large:
“Daura, the host community of this foremost specialised institution, is in mourning. The immense contributions of the late President—from his days as a military officer and Head of State to his tenure as a civilian President—cannot be quantified.
“He was a symbol of selfless service and has passed on as a great hero of principled leadership. His goodwill is evident in the acceptance and pride Daura holds for this specialised university.”
In a moving tribute, Mamora reflected on the late President’s personality and legacy:
“President Buhari’s legacy is etched not in extravagance or flamboyance, but in spartan discipline, frugality, and a steady devotion to nationhood, service, and strong principles.
“I had the honour of serving under his administration—a period that tested the resilience of our institutions and demanded unwavering discipline. It was during this time that I witnessed his uncommon simplicity, quiet dignity, sharp sense of humour, and steadfast moral compass.
“He never claimed perfection but lived with purpose and served with conscience. He believed in surrounding himself with men and women of commitment and gave them a free hand to operate in the best interest of the nation.
“His trust in me went beyond politics—it was personal. It reflected shared values rooted in humility, honesty, and patriotism. I was privileged to serve as the Deputy Director-General of his presidential campaigns in 2015 and 2019. He fondly called me ‘Distinguished Mamora,’ and our interactions reflected mutual respect and clarity of purpose.”
Mamora praised Buhari’s statesmanship and leadership philosophy: “As a leader, he bore the burden of office with grace. He made difficult decisions—many of them unpopular—but always guided by what he believed was best for the country at the time. He redefined leadership, proving that honour lies not in grand speeches but in silent integrity and consistent duty.”
A former Principal General Staff Officer (Chief of Staff), State House, retired Major-General Lawrence Onoja, has said that he found the departed former military head of state and civilian President, Muhammadu Buhari, to be an exceptionally good and dedicated soldier.
Onoja, who served under the late Buhari as Commanding Officer (CO) Guards Battalion, when the late President was the Lagos Garrison Commander in Ikeja, told The Guardian that when Buhari was released from prison in 1988, he (Onoja) was tasked with looking after his welfare as Military Governor of Katsina State.
The former Military Governor of Plateau and Katsina States, lamented that Buhari’s passing away came at a time the country would have benefited from his experience and principles, stressing that “his zero tolerance for corruption was unpretentious.
While noting that the late President sacrificed a lot for the good of the nation, Onoja maintained that Nigeria has lost an icon of integrity, even as he extended his condolences to Mrs Aisha Buhari, the former First Lady and her family, the Daura Emirate, as well as the Government and people of Katsina State.
The Elder Statesman described ex-President Buhari as an epitome of integrity, discipline, humility and a patriot whose love for Nigeria is undeniable and was demonstrated in the various roles he served the country in the course of his illustrious Military career where he held many command positions as well as having served as a Head of State between 1983-1985 and later two terms of 8 years from 2015-2023 as a democratically elected president of Nigeria.
Onoja pointed to the courageous and tactical roles the former President played in the military during the Nigerian civil war in defence of the unity of Nigeria as further testament to his love for the nation.
“The ex-president’s demise is a monumental loss not just to his immediate family, but also to the entire nation. General Buhari, GCFR, departed at a time when his wise counsel is much needed in state affairs.
“He has left a void that would be difficult to fill. It is consoling to note that Buhari left behind lasting legacies of human and infrastructural development through his decades of service to the nation.
“I pray to God to grant the immediate family of the former President and the government and people of Katsina State the fortitude and strength to bear the painful loss and the peaceful repose of the soul of the departed soldier,” he mourned.
Mixed grill in Kano
MEANWHILE, in nearby Kano State, where some street urchins were announcing the late President’s demise, social and commercial activities were at their lowest key.
Buhari’s death turned out to be a close tragedy to Kano people, considering the political influence and popularity he enjoyed in the state.
For instance, in the 2015 general election, Buhari secured 59 per cent of the total votes of over 1.6 million in Kano, the highest nationwide, that could explain why while the late President was being buried in Daura, about 120 kilometres away, the mood in Kano was calm with residents reflecting on the life and times of the deceased.
Governor Abba Kabiru Yusuf and a few members of the cabinet had joined hundreds of dignitaries at the Daura country home of President Buhari to pay their last respects.
Aside from the fact that the Federal Government had declared yesterday a public holiday, the North-West governors also declared a cease in public activities, thus bringing the state to a halt.
