• Ex-president’s body expected at 12 moon, commiral to mother earth at 2 pm
• FG, Sokoto declare public holiday, Katsina extends work-free day
From Romanus Ugwu, Juliana Taiwo-Obalonye, Ndubuisi Orji, Kenneth Udeh, Abuja
The city of Daura, Katsina State, is agog as it awaits the arrival of the remains and burial of its illustrious son and former president, Muhammadu Buhari.
Buhari passed away on Sunday in a London hospital. His death was announced by his family in a statement issued by his former spokesman, Mallam Garba Shehu.
President Bola Tinubu had announced a national mourning with flags lowered half‑mast and the Vice‑President, Kashim Shettima dispatched to the United Kingdom to convey Buhari’s body home.
The remains of the former president are expected to arrive from London today and will be buried in his hometown, Daura, according to Islamic rites.
On Sunday, President Tinubu had directed Vice President Kashim Shettima and Chief of Staff, Femi Gbajabiamila to join Buhari’s family in London to pay their respects and accompany the remains back to Nigeria.
Already, some states and the federal government have declared today a public holiday in his honour.
Following the postponement of the burial, yesterday, Katsina State Government had also extended its earlier work-free day to today.
Governor Dikko Radda announced the postponement of the burial when he briefed newsmen at the Government House.
Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Alhaji Abdullahi Garba-Faskari disclosed that the remains of the former president is expected to arrive in Katsina by noon and the funeral prayer is scheduled to hold at 2p.m in Daura.
“His Excellency has approved for extension of the public holiday earlier declared, from Monday, July 14, to Tuesday, July 15, 2025, to enable the civil servants and other workers to attend the funeral prayer for the departed great leader.
According to a statement by the Ministry of Interior’s Permanent Secretary, Mrs. Magdalene Ajani, Minister of Interior, Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, said the holiday was necessitated following the seven days of national mourning declared by President Bola Tinubu.
He added that the holiday was a show of respect for the late president’s service to the nation, his contributions to Nigeria’s democratic journey, and his enduring legacy in governance and national development.
“President Muhammadu Buhari served Nigeria with dedication, integrity and an unwavering commitment to the unity and progress of our great nation.
“This public holiday provides an opportunity for all Nigerians to reflect on his life, leadership, and the values he upheld,” the minister said.
The minister urged citizens to use the day to honour the late president’s memory by promoting peace, patriotism, and national cohesion in line with his vision for a prosperous and united Nigeria.
In tandem with the resolution of the North West Governors’ Forum, which has declared a public holiday across all states in the zone in honor of the late former President, today be observed as a work-free day across Sokoto State.
Governor Ahmed Aliyu urged the people of the state to use the day to pray fervently for the repose of the soul of the late president. He also prayed to Almighty Allah to forgive General Buhari’s shortcomings, accept his good deeds, and grant him eternal rest.
Meanwhile, the special Federal Executive Council (FEC) session scheduled for today has been postponed due to the state funeral taking place in his hometown of Daura today.
The statement signed by Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, also noted that the Federal Government has declared today a public holiday. A new date for the FEC meeting will be announced after the funeral proceedings, the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation stated.
President Bola Tinubu had announced the special session to recognise Buhari’s significant contributions to Nigeria. Following Buhari’s passing on Sunday in a London clinic after a prolonged illness, President Tinubu declared seven days of national mourning, with flags flying at half-staff.
In a related development, President Tinubu has approved the constitution of an Inter-Ministerial Committee for the state burial of former President Muhammadu Buhari.
The committee is chaired by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Sen. George Akume.
The committee is tasked with planning and coordinating a befitting state burial for the late elder statesman.
Members of the committee include: Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Minister of Defence, Minister of Information and National Orientation, Minister of Works
Others are, Minister of Interior, Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Minister of Art, Culture and Creative Economy, National Security Adviser.
Also in the list included Special Adviser to the President on Policy and Coordination, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Political and Other Matters, Inspector-General of Police, Director-General, Department of State Services (DSS), Chief of Defence Staff.
“The Office of the Permanent Secretary, General Services Office, will serve as the Secretariat to the committee.”
The President has also directed all Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) to open condolence registers at their respective offices for members of the public to pay their respects.
In addition, central condolence registers for the diplomatic community and the general public will be opened at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Bola Tinubu International Conference Centre, Abuja.
APC shuts Buhari House
The national leadership of the All Progressives Congress (APC), the National Working Committee (NWC), has announced the closure of its national Secretariat, Buhari House, in Abuja, to honour the late former president.
APC, in a statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Felix Morka, noted that the decision was in line with the directive from its Acting National Chairman, Bukar Dalori.
Morka further revealed that the closure of the National Secretariat will last till Thursday, July 17.
The ruling party leadership urged party faithful to use the period of national mourning for quiet reflection and prayers for the repose of the soul of our departed leader.
According to the statement: “The APC announces the closure of its national secretariat in Abuja in honour of the late former President Buhari.”
“As directed by the Acting National Chairman of our great party, Dalori, the party’s national secretariat will be closed from today, Monday, July 14 and will reopen on Thursday, July 17, 2025.
“We urge party faithful to use this period of national mourning for quiet reflection and prayers for the repose of the soul of our departed leader,” the ruling party notes in the statement.
Meanwhile, Deputy National Chairman (South), All Progressives Congress (APC), Chief Emma Eneukwu, has described the death of former President Muhammadu Buhari as a national and personal loss.
In a statement in Enugu, he said Buhari, till death, was abundantly loved by his people who continued to treat him as a hero.
The APC chieftain, who described Nigeria as a complex country, said with the benefit of hindsight many Nigerians would have realised that Buhari did his best as Head of State and President.
“As one of the leaders of the defunct All Nigeria’s Peoples Party (ANPP) which gave Gen. Muhammadu Buhari his very first opportunity to run for President, I feel very shocked and demoralised.
“It is so sad that we have lost our great leader at this critical time.
“Knowing his capacity and competences, then and always, I was proudly one of the ANPP leaders who endorsed the outstanding and `no nonsense General’ for the ticket of ANPP.
“I have known Gen. Buhari as a political ally for many years.
“I feel a sense of personal loss that we had to lose him at this dicey time when his presence is much needed for his stabilising essence,” he said.
Eneukwu said that the challenges threatening the unity of the country no doubt required his wisdom.
“His anti-corruption stance and his personal example on it, his Spartan lifestyle and his anti-terrorism efforts remain indelible.”
