The ancient town of Daura, Katsina State, stood still yesterday as former President Muhammadu Buhari was laid to rest in a blaze of glory with full military honours, marking the end of an era for Nigeria.
President Bola Tinubu led a high-powered delegation of serving and former leaders to pay their last respects, setting what observers described as “a new presidential precedent” in honouring departed heads of government.
However, the absence of ex Labour Party’s presidential candidate, Peter Obi and former Osun State Governor, Rauf Aregbesola, created noticeable gaps in what was otherwise a gathering of Nigeria’s political elite.
The solemn ceremony began with the arrival of Buhari’s remains at the Umaru Musa Yar’Adua International Airport in Katsina, where President Tinubu personally received the casket in an unprecedented show of respect. The presidential jet carrying the former leader’s body touched down at 2:45 pm in Abuja met by a guard of honour and military pallbearers comprising nine senior officers. Tinubu, who had arrived Kastinsa earlier at 1:42 pm, inspected the guard of honour before the ceremonial transfer of the remains, draped in the national flag, to a waiting military hearse.
The presidential delegation included Vice President Kashim Shettima, Chief of Staff Femi Gbajabiamila, and First Lady Oluremi Tinubu, alongside regional leaders such as Guinea Bissau’s President Umaru Sissoco Embaló and Niger Republic’s Prime Minister Ali Lamine Zeine. Former Nigerian leaders including, Buhari’s vice, Yemi Osinbajo joined the procession, which moved slowly through Katsina’s streets to the tune of “God Be With You Till We Meet Again,” before commencing the hour long journey to Daura.
The burial ceremony itself was a study in military precision and Islamic tradition. At Buhari’s residence, where he typically held court during his retirement, Imam Hassan Yusuf led funeral prayers attended by family members and dignitaries. The former president was interred at his family compound at 5:15 pm following a 21-gun salute, with Tinubu and other leaders witnessing the final rites.
The gathering brought the who is who of Nigerian politics: former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, Imo State Governor Hope Uzodinma, Monday Okpebholo of Edo State, ex-Transportation Minister Rotimi Amaechi, Governors Dapo Abiodun (Ogun), Babajide Sanwo-Olu (Lagos), and Peter Mbah (Enugu), alongside former governors like Aminu Tambuwal and Abdul-Aziz Yari. Business moguls Aliko Dangote and Abdulsamad Rabiu added corporate weight to the event.
Yet the absence of two prominent figures – Peter Obi and Rauf Aregbesola – fueled quiet speculation. While Obi’s camp cited other commitments, Aregbesola who served as Interior Minister under the late president, no show remained unexplained, particularly given his historical ties to Tinubu’s political machinery.
Tributes poured in throughout the day, with Atiku describing Buhari as “one of Nigeria’s towering sons” who “bore the weight of national service with unwavering determination.” In a poignant reflection on their political rivalry, the former VP noted that while they often stood on “opposite shores of the political river,” death reminded all of their shared humanity. Chief of Staff Gbajabiamila offered a more personal eulogy, recalling Buhari’s steadfast support during legislative crises: “He assured me that only the national interests mattered to him… and he remained true to his word.”
The Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN) highlighted Buhari’s economic legacy, noting his tenure “brought attention to the importance of manufacturing as a driver of economic development.” Meanwhile, the Bayelsa APC chapter credited him with changing Nigeria’s political trajectory through his historic 2015 victory – the first opposition win over an incumbent president. Former Communications Minister Isa Pantami, who lived with Buhari for 25 years, testified to the late president’s integrity: “Almighty is my witness, I have never doubted that integrity through my interactions with him.”
As dusk fell on Daura, the ceremony’s symbolism resonated beyond the funeral rites.
President Tinubu has been widely commended by Nigerians and people of the North for the honour. Tinubu’s meticulous orchestration of the events – from the military honours to the personal participation – signaled both respect for institutional memory and a subtle message about presidential legacy. For ordinary Nigerians lining Daura’s streets, it was a moment to reflect on the complex legacy of a leader whose eight-year rule saw both anti-corruption strides and economic challenges.
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