Nigeria’s Former President Muhammadu Buhari To Be Buried In Katsina On Tuesday

Former Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari, who passed away on Sunday in a London clinic at the age of 82, will be laid to rest in his hometown of Daura, Katsina State, on Tuesday.

The announcement came from Katsina State Governor Dikko Umaru Radda, who confirmed that Muhammadu Buhari’s body would be flown back to Nigeria after consultations with his family.

Buhari, once a military ruler following a coup in the 1980s, returned to politics decades later and made history in 2015 by becoming the first Nigerian opposition candidate to defeat an incumbent president at the polls.

He was re-elected in 2019 for a second term. On Monday, Vice President Kashim Shettima and other government officials travelled to London to oversee the repatriation process.

Tributes from Around the World: Leaders Reflect on Buhari’s Impact

Condolences have poured in from across the globe. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi described Buhari as a leader whose “wisdom, warmth and unwavering commitment to India–Nigeria friendship stood out,” in a heartfelt tribute posted on X (formerly Twitter).

Ibrahim Babangida, the former military head of state who ousted Buhari in a 1985 coup, also paid his respects. “We may not have agreed on everything, as brothers often don’t, but I never once doubted his sincerity or his patriotism,” he said, reflecting on their complex relationship.

Buhari was widely recognized for his staunch anti-corruption stance, especially in northern Nigeria where he enjoyed significant support. Known for his simplicity, he traded his military fatigues for traditional kaftans and prayer caps, calling himself a “converted democrat.”

A Divisive Yet Influential Figure: The Mixed Legacy of Muhammadu Buhari

After stepping down from office in 2023, Buhari retreated from public life, spending most of his time in Daura. His successor, President Bola Tinubu, inherited a nation beset by economic turmoil, including high inflation, foreign exchange crises, low oil production, and worsening insecurity.

Muhammadu Buhari’s admirers hailed him as “Nigeria’s conscience,” a man who eschewed the trappings of power and fought systemic corruption.

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However, critics painted a more critical picture. According to reports, he was seen as “an absentee landlord,” a leader who often governed from afar, particularly during long medical absences in London.

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