By Sunday Apah
Former President Muhammadu Buhari has passed away. Mallam Garba Shehu, Buhari’s former spokesperson, confirmed the news on Sunday afternoon.
According to Shehu, Buhari died in a hospital in the United Kingdom on Sunday.
In his statement, he expressed, “The family of the former president has announced the death of Muhammadu Buhari, GCFR, this afternoon in a clinic in London. May Allah grant him a place in Aljannatul Firdaus.”
The 82-year-old politician served as Nigeria’s military leader from January 1984 until August 1985.
In 1994, he was appointed Executive Chairman of the Petroleum Trust Fund by the Sani Abacha administration, where he oversaw significant infrastructure projects nationwide.
Buhari made three unsuccessful bids for the presidency in 2003, 2007, and 2011 before winning in 2015 as the candidate for the All Progressives Congress, defeating the then-incumbent President Goodluck Jonathan.
He was re-elected in 2019 and completed his second term in 2023.
His inauguration in 2015 represented a significant milestone in Nigeria’s democratic process, as it marked the first instance of an opposition candidate defeating a sitting president through an election.
During his career, he received numerous awards, including the Grand Commander of the Federal Republic and the Commander of the Federal Republic, along with military honors such as the Defence Service Medal, National Service Medal, and Forces Service Star.
Buhari also held the Global Seal of Integrity and the Congo Medal.
As of this report, further information regarding his funeral arrangements has not yet been made public.
