Politics

Nigeria To Honour Late Former President Buhari – Declares Tuesday Public Holiday

By admin
July 13, 2025

Nigeria’s federal government has declared Tuesday a public holiday in honour of former President Muhammadu Buhari, who passed away on Sunday at the age of 82 in a London clinic after a prolonged battle with ill health.

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, who had earlier declared a seven-day national mourning period, has now approved Tuesday as a day for Nigerians to reflect on Buhari’s life, leadership, and legacy. “This public holiday provides an opportunity for all Nigerians to reflect on his life, leadership, and the values he upheld,” Nigeria’s Minister of Interior said in a statement.

Governor Dikko Radda of Katsina State, who returned to Nigeria on Monday after spending time with Buhari’s family in the UK, confirmed that the former president will be laid to rest in his hometown of Daura, Katsina State, on Tuesday. “What I have gathered so far is that the corpse will arrive by 12pm Tuesday, and the burial will happen by 2pm,” Radda said.

Originally scheduled for Monday, Buhari’s funeral was delayed for logistical reasons. His remains will be flown directly to Katsina Airport before being transported to Daura, about 80km from Katsina city. His family home in Daura is already filled with mourners awaiting the arrival of his body.

In accordance with Islamic tradition, there will be no state funeral. Buhari will be buried promptly in a simple ceremony, said Islamic cleric Abdullahi Garangamawa. The Vice President confirmed that Buhari died after a brief illness, without disclosing further details.

Tributes have continued to pour in for the late leader, who remains a towering figure in Nigeria’s political history. He first ruled as a military head of state in the 1980s and later returned as a democratically elected president in 2015, famously defeating a sitting incumbent.

Former President Goodluck Jonathan, whom Buhari defeated in 2015, described him as “selfless in his commitment to duty” and “a leader who served the country with character and deep patriotism.” Former military ruler General Ibrahim Babangida, who ousted Buhari in a 1985 coup, praised him as “a man who, even in retirement, remained a moral compass to many and an example of modesty in public life.”

President Tinubu, who is expected to attend the funeral prayers in Daura, reaffirmed that national flags will continue to fly at half-mast throughout the period of mourning as the country pays its final respects to the late statesman.