President Bola Tinubu, along with several former Nigerian presidents and prominent political figures, is set to attend the burial of ex-President Muhammadu Buhari today in Daura, Katsina State. The late leader will be laid to rest in accordance with Islamic rites, which emphasize a swift and simple burial process following death.
Vice-President Kashim Shettima, acting on President Tinubu’s directive, personally accompanied Buhari’s remains on the journey from London, where he passed away around 4:30 p.m. on Sunday. This gesture underscores the deep respect and national importance attached to Buhari’s final journey home.
According to reliable sources from the Presidency who spoke to The PUNCH late Sunday night, the former president’s remains are expected to arrive in Nigeria in the early hours of Monday. Immediately upon arrival, the body will be transported directly to his hometown of Daura, where all burial preparations have been meticulously arranged to follow Islamic customs and traditions.
An official, who preferred to remain anonymous, provided more details about the plans: “The burial is tomorrow (Monday). They’re bringing his corpse overnight. They’ll proceed straight to Daura. So, he will be buried tomorrow (Monday). You know, the Islamic rites don’t take time. Everything is arranged to ensure he is given a dignified and respectful farewell as soon as possible.”
Another source who spoke to PUNCH elaborated on the possibility of President Tinubu personally attending the burial: “When the corpse arrives, we are sure the President would go there. After they go to Daura, the President can join them there to pay his last respects. This is an important moment for the country, and the President wants to be present to honor his predecessor.”
In addition to Nigerian leaders, there is an expectation that several African heads of state and dignitaries will arrive in Nigeria to offer their condolences and possibly attend the burial or related ceremonies. A senior government official stated, “Yes, there would be mainly West African Leaders. But we don’t know exactly who until they start to communicate officially on Monday.”
The official further explained that visiting leaders will likely remain in their hotels and await scheduled meetings with President Tinubu once he has completed his participation in the burial proceedings: “The body will arrive early tomorrow and be buried. We’ll start having heads of state from West Africa. It is likely that some will come. If they come, they will stay in their hotels until they get a time to see the President tomorrow (Monday). You know, the President just came back early hours of today. And he’s still resting.”
As the nation prepares to bid farewell to one of its most prominent leaders, security and protocol arrangements have been heightened in Daura and surrounding areas to accommodate high-profile guests and ensure a peaceful and dignified ceremony. The burial is expected to draw a large crowd of mourners, including political associates, traditional rulers, religious leaders, and ordinary citizens who wish to pay their last respects.
This historic farewell marks the end of an era and serves as a moment of reflection on Buhari’s long and impactful career in Nigerian politics and governance.