ABUJA/LONDON: The Federal Government and the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) have declared a period of national mourning following the death of former President Muhammadu Buhari, who passed away on Sunday, July 13, at the age of 82 in a London hospital.
In a swift response, Vice President Kashim Shettima arrived in London early Monday to accompany the late leader’s remains back to Nigeria for burial in Daura, Katsina State, in accordance with Islamic rites.
He was accompanied by Femi Gbajabiamila, Chief of Staff to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, and was received by Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yusuf Tuggar, and Borno State Governor, Babagana Zulum.
The confirmation was made in a statement by Stanley Nkwocha, Senior Special Assistant on Media and Communication to the Vice President.
Back home, the APC National Secretariat, known as Buhari House, has been temporarily closed in honor of the late statesman.
The party’s National Publicity Secretary, Felix Morka, made the announcement on Monday, noting that the directive came from the Acting National Chairman, Hon. Bukar Dalori.
The APC National Secretariat in Abuja will remain closed from Monday, July 14, and reopen on Thursday, July 17, 2025,” Morka said.
We urge party faithful to use this period of national mourning for quiet reflection and prayers for the repose of the soul of our departed leader.
President Tinubu, in announcing Buhari’s death, directed that Nigerian flags be flown at half-mast for three days nationwide. An emergency Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting was also held Monday morning in Abuja in his honour.
Buhari’s leadership legacy spans both military and democratic eras, having served as Head of State from 1984 to 1985 and President from 2015 to 2023.
His time in office was marked by significant anti-corruption campaigns and mixed economic policies that continue to provoke national debate.
As tributes pour in, political leaders and ordinary Nigerians alike are mourning a man described by the Kano State Chairman of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) as a symbol of integrity.
The Federal Government is set to accord the late president full state honors, as the nation prepares to lay to rest one of its most iconic and polarizing figures.
