Latest news with #MuhammaduBuhari
eNCA
10 hours ago
- Politics
- eNCA
Former Nigerian president Buhari buried at family compound
NIGERIA - Former Nigerian president Muhammadu Buhari was buried at his home in northwestern Katsina state Tuesday, with the multiple heads of state in attendance guarded by a heavy security detail. Thousands of Nigerians gathered for public prayers in the town of Daura before the former leader was laid to rest in private at his family compound, which had been bustling with mourners paying their respects since his death over the weekend. Buhari, who died at the age of 82 in a London clinic on Sunday, ruled Nigeria first as a military strongman in the 1980s and then later as a self-described "converted democrat", serving two terms as president from 2015 to 2023. Nigerian President Bola Tinubu, Africa's wealthiest billionaire Aliko Dangote, the president of Guinea-Bissau and prime minister of Niger, as well as former Niger president Mahamadou Issoufou were all in attendance, local media reported. The presence of Niger's Prime Minister Ali Lamine Zeine came after his country and Nigeria saw diplomatic relations deteriorate since a 2023 coup overthrew Niamey's civilian leaders. As Buhari's body made its way from England to Daura, less than 20 kilometres (about 10 miles) from the Niger border, a massive security presence of police, soldiers and plainclothes officers was deployed in the usually sleepy town. Nigeria, particularly in the north, has for years suffered attacks from insurgent jihadists and armed criminal gangs. Although he was elected on a mandate for change, Buhari's time in office failed to put an end to the violence. He made history in 2015 as the first opposition candidate to defeat an incumbent leader at the ballot box. But Buhari was accused of squandering both political opportunity and popular goodwill in his time at the helm. Economic woes further dogged the oil giant during his tenure, while poverty, corruption and inequality remain entrenched. He retained a reputation for personal austerity, however - a rarity in cash-soaked Nigerian politics. "Baba will be remembered for his honesty," mourner Kabir Ibrahim told AFP. - Military honours - Images broadcast from inside the family compound showed a military band playing a final send-off for Buhari, whose remains were draped in the green-and-white Nigerian flag, as soldiers saluted and mourners dressed in colourful kaftans bowed their heads. Young men climbed trees overlooking the courtyard to catch a glimpse of the final rites. The flag was removed and his body, draped in white, was buried. Security ahead of the internment was so tight that Buhari's family members found themselves locked out of the family compound Tuesday afternoon, including Fatima Isah, who said she was the ex-president's 78-year-old niece. "Buhari was my provider, but he is no more. To add to my torment, they have refused me entry," said Isah, in between sobs. Muttaqa Mahmud Bebeji, a civil servant, travelled 150 kilometres from the city of Kano to pay his respects among the "sea of the people," calling Buhari "irreplaceable." Despite harsh criticisms of Buhari's presidency, Daura welcomed him home. "Buhari was an upright man who did his best for Nigeria, but he was human and prone to shortcomings," Nasiru Abdullahi, a 35-year-old tyre mechanic, told AFP on the eve of the funeral.
Al Jazeera
11 hours ago
- Politics
- Al Jazeera
Thousands of Nigerians attend funeral of ex-President Buhari
Thousands of Nigerians attend funeral of ex-President Buhari NewsFeed Thousands of Nigerians attended the funeral procession of former President Muhammadu Buhari, in his hometown of Dauru. Video Duration 01 minutes 06 seconds 01:06 Video Duration 01 minutes 36 seconds 01:36 Video Duration 00 minutes 58 seconds 00:58 Video Duration 01 minutes 05 seconds 01:05 Video Duration 00 minutes 44 seconds 00:44 Video Duration 00 minutes 38 seconds 00:38 Video Duration 02 minutes 56 seconds 02:56
BBC News
15 hours ago
- Politics
- BBC News
Buhari death don create political vacuum for Northern Nigeria?
Di death of former Nigerian president, Muhammadu Buhari, don get significant impact for di kontri political scene, especially for di northern region. Sabi pipo say im death fit start beta struggle for power for di north as di 2027 general elections dey draw nearer. For dis region, dem bin dey see Buhari was as not just ordinary politician, but as bridge wey connect di poor to di political elite. Many believe say e inherited im grassroots support base from di late president, Umaru Musa Yar'Adua, as e develop a cult-like following among di urban and rural poor (wey dem dey call di "talakawa" for Hausa language). Buhari image as a man of integrity bin fetch am massive 12 million votes, mostly from di north, during di 2011 presidential election. Di former major general who im supporters dey call "Sai Baba", bin achieve dis wit limited resources and despite say e no get nationwide political operation. E later lead im opposition All Progressives Congress to ogbonge victory for di 2015 presidential election, as e win 15.4 million votes and beat di incumbent president, Goodluck Jonathan, by more dan 2.5 million votes. Dis mark di turning point for Buhari who bicom di most powerful politician for di kontri. "I belong to everybody, and I belong to nobody," e tok for im 2015 inaugural speech. Dis statement shock di political class for Nigeria, as e mean say tins no go be business as usual for dose wey place personal ambition bifor ideology. "Im speech shock di elitist class and plenty of dem bin run comot from di kontri afta dat," Professor Khalid Aliyu, di Secretary-General of Jama'atu Nasril Islam, JNI, tok. Gimba Kakanda, Senior Special Assistant to di President on Research and Analytics, say Buhari bin surprise many pipo who bin initially dismiss am as a parochial northerner or religious extremist wey no get intention to unite di kontri. "E show say e dey willing to engage and work wit all parts of di federation. Di 2015 speech bin capture di essence of dat transformation and intent," e tok. However, no be evribody bin dey convinced. Journalist Nicholas Ibekwe believe say Buhari statement later turn out to be just ordinary catchy quote. "E no live up to am wen e dey for power. Most of di important positions na northerners e give dem to. So, wetin e bin really mean?" e tok. "Buhari na just fortunate politician wey get political charisma, but e neva at any time rally di north for a particular course outside of im interest." Man of integrity Although Buhari bin come under fire for im first term for office sake of im handling of security, economic and corruption issues, e still win ogbonge victory for di 2019 elections. Again, most of im vote base come from di north. For di 2023 presidential election, as e dey prepare to comot from office, Buhari again make history. Dis time e refuse to endorse any of di candidates. Dis na di first time wey sitting president go openly refuse to support anybodi for im party primary election. Instead, e declare say e go support whoever win di party ticket, to create level playing field and throw di race open. "E good say e bin chose to dey neutral and to only be a guide. E bin no want to interfer for pipo affairs," JNI Professor Aliyu tok. However, some bin tink say by doing dat, e don squander opportunity to solidify im own political strength. As e leave office two years ago, Buhari bin dey vocal about im own future as e tok say e no want to be disturbed. E no be surprise say afta e hand over to President Bola Tinubu, he retire to im hometown for Katsina state and no too dey appear for public. "Im death go create very big vacuum. We see how afta e move to Daura, di place turn to political pilgrimage wit pipo looking for im for guidance and advice," Professor Aliyu tok. "Im core support base fit don diminish towards di end of im tenure, but significant number of di pipo wey believe in him still dey loyal to di very end," Senior Special Assistant Kakanda tok. "Dat kind of loyalty dey rare, and e show di depth of di connection e bin get wit ordinary pipo." But journalist Ibekwe believe say Buhari death no go leave political vacuum for northern Nigeria. "Im supporters bin don always be for only him," e tok. "Weneva e no stand for election, dem bin vote differently for oda pipo." 2027 elections As di formidable figure for northern politics dey buried on Tuesday, many pipo dey ask how dis go affect di chances of im All Progressives Congress party for di 2027 general election. Kakanda believen say im passing go spark power shift for di north. "We dey likely to witness a transition toward a multipolar configuration. Power and influence for di North go now dey more fragmented, sake of diversity of sub-regional and ethnic actors rada dan one single dominant figure," e tok. Concerns dey say President Tinubu fit struggle to consolidate im support for di north without Buhari clout. Dose wey bin rely heavily on im popularity go now need to work extra hard to build dia own alliances and mend political fences. Professor Aliyu say di coming election go see many politicians dey hustle to bicom di next "talakawa" for di north. "Buhari death don pose big challenge for dose wey dey raise dia hands say dem wan lead di people, but for now, we neva see anybody wey go dey like him," e tok. "Whoeva wan bicom di undisputed leader, dem suppose know say Buhari fame no be bicos of wealth. Moni fit buy fame and recognition. But na character, selflessness and service to pipo," e tok. For Senior Special Assistant Kakanda, Buhari death go bring "more competitive" politics for di region. "Di current generation for di North no longer dey reason dat illusion of political redeemer," e tok. "Wetin lie ahead na recalibration, wia political actors must to earn loyalty not thru association wit one singular legacy, but thru di substance of dia vision and dia ability to meet di moment." Additional reporting by Yusuf Akinpelu
DW
21 hours ago
- Politics
- DW
Muhammadu Buhari: Nigeria's ex-leader buried in his hometown – DW – 07/16/2025
Muhammadu Buhari was laid to rest in his hometown, Daura, in northern Nigeria. He leaves behind a mixed legacy, having been both a former military leader and a democratically elected president. Former Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari was buried in his hometown of Daura in the north of the country on Tuesday. Thousands of people turned out to pay their respects, with the current president of the country, Bola Tinubu, having also attended the service. Buhari died on Sunday, aged 82, in London, after battling an undisclosed illness. He had often traveled to the city to seek medical help, even during his presidency. Buhari led Nigeria twice, once as a military dictator between 1983 and 1985, then as a democratically elected president between 2015 to 2023. But he retreated from the public eye after handing over power to his successor, Tinubu, in 2023, as he battled the illness that was never disclosed. Buhari's legacy includes a widespread clampdown on human rights, isolationist economic policies and escalating insecurity. Buhari's coffin, draped in Nigeria's white and green national colors, had arrived at the airport in Katsina state earlier on Tuesday. The coffin was received by President Bola Tinubu, government officials and men and women in traditional Muslim attire. A military parade was held at the airport, as 21 gun salutes were fired in his honor before his body was taken to his hometown, about 49 miles (80 kilometers) away. Tinubu has declared seven days of national mourning to honor Buhari's life, with Tuesday having been a public holiday too.
The Star
a day ago
- Politics
- The Star
Nigeria bids farewell to former leader Buhari with burial in home state
Mourners gather near the body of former Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari, wrapped in Nigerian flag, during the final burial of the former president, in Daura, Nigeria, July 15, 2025 in this still image obtained from a video. Reuters TV via REUTERS KATSINA, Nigeria (Reuters) -Nigeria's former President Muhammad Buhari was buried on Tuesday in the backyard of his home in northern Katsina state, as residents climbed trees to bid farewell to the 82-year-old. Buhari ruled Africa's most populous nation between 2015 and 2023 and died in a London hospital on Sunday after an undisclosed illness. He was one of two former Nigerian military strongmen who returned to power via the ballot box. In his hometown of Daura, supporters chanted "Sai Baba", an endearing name used by followers, while they attempted to catch a last glimpse of Buhari's casket as it was lowered into the ground. The coffin, draped in Nigeria's white and green national colours, had arrived at the airport in Katsina earlier and was received by President Bola Tinubu, government officials and men and women in traditional Muslim attire. The former president was given a military parade and a 21-gun salute at the airport before his body was transported to Daura, about 80 kilometres away. Tinubu has declared seven days of national mourning and a public holiday on Tuesday to honour Buhari. After first rising to power in the early 1980s as a military leader following a coup, Buhari made a comeback as a democratically elected president when he defeated incumbent Goodluck Jonathan in 2015. Buhari's eight-year rule was marked by economic recession, foreign currency shortages, a slump in oil production and insecurity that spread across the country. Even so, Buhari continued to enjoy a cult-like following in his home state and across the largely Muslim northern Nigeria. Many supporters admired his austere lifestyle and anti-corruption crusade, although critics say few public officials were jailed for graft. (Reporting by Ben Ezeamalu, Editing by MacDonald Dzirutwe and Aidan Lewis)
