Vice President Kashim Shettima on Wednesday afternoon led other prominent Nigerians at the third-day Fidau prayers for late ex-President Muhammadu Buhari, who died on Sunday in London, England.

The prayer session, which was held within the premises of the late former president’s private residence in Daura, Katsina State, saw several sympathisers in attendance.

Shettima arrived at the venue of the event at about 12:23 p.m., while the prayers commenced at about 12:30 p.m., with several Islamic leaders leading in the supplication.

Fidau prayer is a time for friends and family to gather and pray for the forgiveness of the deceased’s sins and to seek blessings for the afterlife.

The gathering often includes the recitation of the Holy Quran, prayers, and sometimes charitable acts performed on behalf of the deceased.

The prayer is usually held on the third day after death, as well as on the seventh, 40th, and 100th days, and can be held on other days decided upon by family and friends of the deceased.

During the prayers, late former President Buhari’s widow, Aisha, sat in one of the sitting rooms of the house, where she and other women, mostly relations, followed in the prayers.

Several Islamic leaders led the prayers, with supplication to the Almighty Allah to forgive the late president’s shortcomings and grant his soul eternal rest.

Earlier in the morning, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar had gone to the gravesite of the former president, where he made supplication for the repose of Buhari’s soul.

He was accompanied by a former governor of Kaduna State, Nasiru El-Rufai, among other sympathisers.

Both men also participated in the Fidau prayer, which had Buhari’s relation, Mamman Daura, in attendance.

Prominent personalities at the event included former presidential candidate and past governor of Anambra State, Peter Obi, as well as former Katsina State governor, Aminu Masari.

Other personalities were the Borno State governor, Babagana Zulum; Information and Culture Minister, Abubakar Mohammed; and Director General, National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Buba Marwa.

Former Chief of Army Staff, Tukur Buratai; former Justice Minister, Abubakar Malami; former Communications and Digital Economy Minister, Isa Pantami; and former Aviation Minister, Hadi Sirika, were also in attendance.

Former Director General, NIA, Ahmed Rufai; Emir of Daura, Alh. Farouk Umar, as well as host Governor Dikko Radda and his deputy, Farouk Lawal, also attended the solemn event.

At the time of this report, several dignitaries from within and outside the state were said to be on their way to commiserate with the state government, family, friends, and relations of the former president.

The Fidau prayers, which commenced at about 12:30 p.m., were rounded up at about 1:15 p.m.