President Tinubu Pays Emotional Tribute, Summons FEC Meeting to Honour Late Leader
“A Patriot, Soldier, Statesman”: Tinubu Mourns Buhari, Orders Flags at Half-Mast
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has described the late former President Muhammadu Buhari as a “patriot, soldier, and statesman,” as the nation mourns the passing of one of its most influential leaders.
Buhari, who died at the age of 82 in a London hospital on Sunday, July 13, 2025, was remembered by his successor as a leader whose life was defined by “duty, honour, and a deep commitment to Nigeria’s unity and progress.”
“It is with profound sorrow and a heavy heart that I received the news of the passing of His Excellency, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (Rtd), GCFR, my predecessor, who departed this life today,” Tinubu said in a solemn statement on Sunday night.
President Tinubu praised Buhari’s lifelong service to Nigeria, recalling his two significant chapters as Head of State: first as a military ruler from January 1984 to August 1985, and later as a democratically elected president from 2015 to 2023.
“President Buhari was to the very core, a patriot, a soldier, a statesman. His legacy of service and sacrifice endures,” Tinubu said.
“He stood firm through the most turbulent times, leading with quiet strength, profound integrity, and an unshakable belief in Nigeria’s potential. He championed discipline in public service, confronted corruption head-on, and placed the country above personal interest at every turn.”
As a mark of respect, Tinubu has ordered all national flags to fly at half-mast for seven days across the country beginning Sunday. He also announced that an emergency session of the Federal Executive Council (FEC) will be held on Tuesday, dedicated to honouring Buhari’s memory and legacy.
“We honour his service. We reflect on his legacy. And we pray for the peaceful repose of his soul,” Tinubu added.
President Tinubu extended heartfelt condolences to Aisha Buhari, the late president’s wife, and to their children, the wider Buhari family, and the people of Katsina State, particularly the Daura Emirate, where Buhari hailed from.
“In this moment of national mourning, I extend my deepest condolences to his beloved wife, Aisha, with whom I have been in constant touch, his children, the entire Buhari family, and all who knew and loved him,” Tinubu said.
“I also extend my condolences to the government and people of Katsina State, most especially the people and traditional leaders of Daura Emirate.”
The passing of Muhammadu Buhari has cast a shadow over the nation, coming just hours before the death of another national icon, the Awujale of Ijebuland, Oba Sikiru Adetona. As Nigerians reflect on these monumental losses, tributes continue to pour in from within and outside the country. Read More
