President Tinubu Orders 7 Days of National Mourning, Full State Honours for Buhari
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has expressed profound grief over the death of former President Muhammadu Buhari, describing him as a patriot, soldier, and statesman whose legacy of service, discipline, and sacrifice will endure in Nigeria’s national memory.
In a solemn statement released on Sunday evening, President Tinubu confirmed that the former Nigerian leader passed away earlier in the day at a hospital in the United Kingdom. He described Buhari’s passing as a national loss and paid tribute to his decades of leadership and unwavering dedication to the Nigerian nation.
“President Buhari was to the very core, a patriot, a soldier, a statesman. His legacy of service and sacrifice endures,” Tinubu said. “He stood firm through the most turbulent times, leading with quiet strength, profound integrity, and an unshakable belief in Nigeria’s potential.”
Buhari, who served as Nigeria’s military Head of State between 1984 and 1985, later returned as a democratically elected President from 2015 to 2023. Throughout both tenures, he was widely known for his anti-corruption stance, insistence on discipline in public service, and prioritization of national interest over personal gain.
President Tinubu extended heartfelt condolences to the former President’s widow, Mrs. Aisha Buhari, his children, the wider Buhari family, as well as the government and people of Katsina State and Daura Emirate, the late President’s hometown.
As part of national mourning, President Tinubu ordered all flags across the country to fly at half-staff for seven days beginning Sunday, July 13. He also announced that a special session of the Federal Executive Council (FEC) would be convened on Tuesday to honour the memory and legacy of the late former leader.
Furthermore, President Tinubu revealed that the Federal Government will accord Buhari full state honours “befitting his towering contributions to our country.”
“May Allah forgive his shortcomings and grant him Al-Jannah Firdaus,” Tinubu prayed, adding that Buhari’s life of service should continue to inspire future generations of Nigerians to serve with courage, conviction, and selflessness.
Funeral arrangements and the return of the late President’s body to Nigeria are being coordinated, with Vice President Kashim Shettima already directed to travel to the UK for the solemn task.
