Vice-President Kashim Shettima has shared a deeply personal moment about the final days of the late former President Muhammadu Buhari, revealing that President Bola Tinubu had sent him to London to visit Buhari before he passed away.
Speaking after a solemn prayer session held at Buhari’s residence in Daura, Katsina State, Shettima described the late president’s passing as a loss not just to his immediate family or the people of Katsina, but to the entire nation and even Africa.
“President Tinubu was truly heartbroken by his death,” Shettima said. “He didn’t take it lightly. He sent me to London to be with him during those final days. I spent two days there. And when Baba answered the call of Allah, the president again asked me and the Chief of Staff to escort the family and his remains back home.”
In his emotional remarks, the Vice-President reminded everyone of the certainty of death. “We’re all just travellers, waiting for the train,” he reflected, urging Nigerians to embrace this reality and pray for Buhari’s peaceful rest.
According to him, following consultations between Tinubu, Buhari’s family, and the Katsina State Government, it was agreed that a formal prayer session would hold by noon on Thursday, bringing the official mourning to a close — though Nigerians are still free to visit and pay respects in their own way.
Governor Dikko Radda described Buhari’s death as a monumental loss, not just for Katsina, but for the entire African continent. “He lived and died for the people,” Radda said, calling on leaders to carry forward Buhari’s legacy of honesty, transparency, and accountability.
President Tinubu and Vice President Shettima were commended for personally attending the burial, which Radda said showed deep respect for the former leader and his contributions to Nigeria.
Joining in the tribute, Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, praised Buhari’s legacy, praying “May Allah accept his soul.” He noted that the late president’s burial on Tuesday was witnessed by Nigerians from all walks of life, including President Tinubu himself.
Minister of Labour and Employment, Maigari Dingyadi, who served in Buhari’s cabinet, also paid tribute, describing Buhari as a man of integrity and strong leadership qualities. “He gave his all to fight corruption and improve the economy,” Dingyadi said. “May Allah grant him Aljannah Firdaus.”
Several prominent figures were in attendance to mourn and honor Buhari, including:
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Alhaji Mamman Daura
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Imaan Suleiman-Ibrahim (Minister of Women Affairs)
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Sen. Abubakar Kyari (Minister of Agriculture)
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Alhaji Balarabe Abbas (Minister of Environment)
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Sen. Abubakar Bagudu (Minister of Budget & Planning)
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Dr. Mariya Mahmoud (Minister of State, FCT)
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Lateef Fagbemi, SAN (Minister of Justice)
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Prince Shaibu Abubakar (Minister of Mines)
Others included former leaders such as Mr. Peter Obi, Amb. Babagana Kingibe, former VP Atiku Abubakar, Amb. Rufai Ahmed, Sen. Hadi Sirika, and Malam Nasir El-Rufai, among many others.
As Nigerians continue to mourn, what resonates deeply is not just the image of a former military leader or a civilian president, but that of a man who, whether loved or criticized, left a mark on the soul of the nation.
