Nigeria stood still on Tuesday as the country bid a final farewell to former President Muhammadu Buhari, who was laid to rest in his hometown of Daura, Katsina State. Among the dignitaries present was former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, who offered a solemn tribute to the late leader, reflecting on legacy, service, and the inevitability of mortality.
In an emotionally charged message shared on his X handle, Atiku described Buhari as a towering son of Nigeria whose passing has “cast a long shadow across the land, stirring reflections on legacy, sacrifice, and the fleeting nature of power.”
“It is an honour to be present in Daura,” Atiku said, “to stand shoulder to shoulder with his family, his kinsmen, and the Nigerian people as we commit him to Mother Earth.”
Although the two men were political rivals, Atiku struck a reconciliatory tone in his tribute.
“President Buhari and I often stood on opposite shores of the political river. Yet, death reminds us that what endures is not rivalry but humanity,” he said. “In his own way, he bore the burden of leadership with unwavering will and served the country he so dearly loved with a sense of purpose shaped by his convictions.”
Atiku extended his condolences to the Buhari family, the people of Katsina State, and the entire nation, praying for divine forgiveness and eternal peace for the late President.
“May the Almighty, in His infinite mercy, forgive his shortcomings, accept his return, and grant him Aljannah Firdaus,” he said.
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He concluded his tribute with a call for introspection among Nigeria’s leaders and citizens:
“Let this moment also remind us all that the true measure of life is not in the length of our days, but in the depth of our service and the footprints we leave on the sands of time.”
As the sun set over Daura, the final rites for President Buhari were performed amid military honours, including a 21-gun salute. The former President died on Sunday, July 13, in a London hospital. He was 83.
His burial was attended by President Bola Tinubu, Vice President Kashim Shettima, African heads of state, past and serving Nigerian leaders, and thousands of sympathisers from across the country.
With Buhari now laid to rest, the nation reflects on a leader who, despite controversy and opposition, shaped decades of Nigeria’s political landscape — from military ruler to elected president.
Farewell, President Buhari. May the soil of Daura rest gently upon you.