Nigerian President, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu said he has received with profound sorrow and a heavy heart, the news of the passing of his predecessor in office, former President Muhammadu Buhari, who departed this life on Sunday, July 13, 2025, at a hospital in the United Kingdom.
Grieving President Tinubu poured a glowing tribute about Buhari, saying he was to the very core, a patriot, a soldier, a statesman.
In a statement he personally signed on Sunday evening, Tinubu noted that the former President’s legacy of service and sacrifice will endure.
“He served Nigeria with unwavering dedication, first as a military leader from January 1984 to August 1985, and later as a democratically elected President from 2015 to 2023. Duty, honour, and a deep commitment to the unity and progress of our nation defined his life.
“He stood firm through the most turbulent times, leading with quiet strength, profound integrity, and an unshakable belief in Nigeria’s potential. He championed discipline in public service, confronted corruption head-on, and placed the country above personal interest at every turn.
“In this moment of national mourning, I extend my deepest condolences to his beloved wife, Aisha, with whom I have been in constant touch, his children, the entire Buhari family, and all who knew and loved him.
“I also extend my condolences to the government and people of Katsina State, most especially the people and traditional leaders of Daura Emirate.
“We honour his service. We reflect on his legacy. And we pray for the peaceful repose of his soul.
“As a mark of respect to our former leader, I have directed that all national flags fly at half-staff across the country for seven days from today.
“I have also summoned an emergency Federal Executive Council session on Tuesday, dedicated to his honour.
The Federal Government will accord President Buhari full state honours befitting his towering contributions to our country.
“May Allah forgive his shortcomings and grant him Al-Jannah Firdaus.
“And may his life continue to inspire generations of Nigerians to serve with courage, conviction, and selflessness,” Tinubu stated.
Former President, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo has described immediate past President, General Muhammudu Buhari as a patriot that tried his best in the quest to give the country needed progress and development.
Obasanjo said he received the news of the death of his former colleague in the military and a former President, Muhammadu Buhari with heavy hearts.
“It is with heavy heart, that I received this afternoon, of the passing of a colleague, a comrade , a cool patriot, General Muhammadu Buhari, who as a soldier, he played his role as a soldier. As an administrator, he played his role as an administrator , as a statesman, he played his role as a statesman, of course.
“At a time like this, we need the totality, of the experience and what I may call statesmanship of all those who have had opportunities to run the affairs of this country to get us out of the situation we are in he will be surely missed. May his soul rest in perfect peace,” Obasanjo stated.
Also, Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas expressed shock over the death of former President Muhammadu Buhari.
Abbas described late Buhari as one of the most patriotic Nigerians to have ever lived.
In a condolence message signed by his Special Adviser, Media and Publicity, Musa Krishi, the Speaker said the former Nigerian leader lived his life dedicated to the service of Nigeria.
The statement described Buhari as an officer and statesman who made a name for himself as ‘incorruptible’ and lived a life defined by simplicity and a remarkable absence of materialism, “virtues that earned him widespread respect and trust across the country.”
He added that Buhari was one of the only two Nigerians to have been military head of state and democratically elected president under civilian rule (after Olusegun Obasanjo), describing it as a rare privilege to serve the country.
Abbas recalled Buhari’s cult followership, especially in the North as a politician, which he attributed to the former president’s disciplinary and upright personality.
The Speaker also recalled how Buhari’s alliance with his successor, President Bola Tinubu, and others birthed the All Progressives Congress.
“The news of the demise of former President Muhammadu Buhari was shocking to me.
“But we cannot question our creator. All mortals shall taste death.
“May Allah forgive his shortcomings and grant him Jannatul Firdaus.
“He was a fine officer of the Nigerian Army and a politician of repute, who got to the peak of his military and political careers.
“He was disciplined, patriotic, modest, and upright. He served the nation for most of his life in different capacities.
“Only a few Nigerians have the privilege to have served their country.
“Buhari carved a niche for himself as an incorruptible leader, a man of integrity, and an unflinching commitment to nation-building.
“His life was also defined by uncommon simplicity,” the Speaker said.
