Former President Muhammadu Buhari Dies At 82
Former President Muhammadu Buhari has died at the age of 82.
Buhari’s death was confirmed in a statement by his former special adviser, Garba Shehu, in a terse statement on Sunday evening.
“The family of the former president has announced the passing on of the former president, Muhammadu Buhari, GCFR, this afternoon in a clinic in London,” he said.
Buhari was Nigeria’s President from 2015 to 2023. He also served as the military Head of State between January 1984 and August 1985.
However, the nature of the illness was not disclosed. The former president had been in London for the last couple of days undergoing treatment before his death on Sunday.
Expectedly, his demise has triggered an outpouring of condolences from Nigerians, especially political leaders. President Bola Tinubu, who took over from Buhari in 2023, was among to first to mourn the former leader.
Presidential spokesman Bayo Onanuga, in a short message, said Tinubu, Buhari’s ally, has ordered Vice President Kashim Shettima to proceed to the United Kingdom to accompany the former president’s body back to Nigeria.
“President Tinubu has spoken with Mrs Aishat Buhari, the former President’s widow, and offered his deep condolences,” the statement added.
Tinubu, a former Lagos State governor, also ordered that flags be flown at half-mast as a mark of respect for the departed lDecember
Born on December 17, 1942, Buhari was raised in Katsina – his home state – and was brought up by his mother following his father’s death when he was four.
The Katsina-born politician was married to Safinatu Yusuf between 1971 and 1988. He later married Aisha Halilu in 1989. Buhari is survived by ten children.
