*Former President Mumammadu Buari dies in London hospital aged 82
*Tinubu announced that Buhari died at about 4.30pm Sunday following prolonged illness
*Presidency, Ministers, Governors other prominent Nigerians mourn
*As President directs VP Shettima to proceed to UK to accompany Buhari’s corpse back to Nigeria
By Mathew Dadiya and Okechukwu Jombo
Nigeria’s immediate past President, Muhammadu Buhari is dead. He was reported to have died on Sunday in a clinic in London while on treatment.
Spokesman to Buhari, Malam Garba Shehu who announced the passing on of former President stated, “Inna lillahi wa inna ilaihirrajiuun; the family of the former President Muhammadu Buhari has announced the passing on of the former President this afternoon in a clinic in London.
May Allah accept him in Aljannatul Firdaus, Amin.
“President Bola Tinubu has announced that President Buhari died at about 4.30 pm, following a prolonged illness.
“President Tinubu has spoken with Mrs Aisha Buhari, the former President’s widow and offered his deep condolences.
“The President has also ordered Vice President Kashim Shettima to proceed to the United Kingdom to accompany President Muhammadu Buhari’s body back to Nigeria”, Mallam Garba Shehu said in a statement made available to newsmen.
It would be recalled that former President Buhari was twice elected Nigeria’s President in 2015 and 2019.
He also served as military head of state between January 1984 and August 1985.
President Tinubu has ordered flags at half-mast as a mark of respect for the departed former leader.
Meanwhile, condolence messages have been pouring in from prominent Nigerians expressing their grief over Buhari’s death.
Most of them described him as a man of honour who left a legacy of selfless service during his days as President of Nigeria.
In his condolence message, the National Chairman of African Democratic Congress (ADC) Senator David Mark lamented over the death of the immediate past President of Nigeria Muhammed Buhari.
Senator Mark stated that President Buhari passed away at the critical time when his fatherly advice was most needed to navigate through the murky waters of the nation’s leadership.
According to Mark “Nigeria has lost a hero, an uncommon patriot and a selfless leader who gave his all for the good of our nation”.
He stated “the greatest sacrifice which would be difficult to fault was his love for this country, particularly, her unity”.
Senator Mark added that “it is sad that President Buhari transited to the great beyond at this time but we are consoled that his legacy of keeping the nation united will endure”.
Senator Mark was military Governor of Niger State between 1984 and 1986 under Buhari as Military Head of State.
