Muhammadu Buhari, Nigeria’s immediate past president, has passed away in London at the age of 82. The news was confirmed on Sunday by his former media aide, Garba Shehu, in a statement posted on his official X handle.
> “The family of the former president has announced the passing of Muhammadu Buhari, GCFR, this afternoon in a clinic in London,” the statement read.
Arrangements are currently being made to bring Muhammadu Buhari’s remains back to Nigeria for a full state burial, in accordance with national tradition.
Buhari: A Legacy of Service in Uniform and Democracy
Spanning more than four decades, Buhari’s public life shaped Nigeria’s military and democratic history. A retired Major General, he first assumed leadership as Nigeria’s military Head of State from December 1983 to August 1985, following a coup.
His political journey in civilian life was marked by resilience. Muhammadu Buhari contested for the presidency multiple times:
In 2003 and 2007 under the All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP)
In 2011 with the Congress for Progressive Change (CPC)
Muhammadu Buhari, Nigeria’s former president and military leader, remembered for his decades of national service
His persistence bore fruit in 2015 when he emerged as the presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC). That year, Buhari made history by defeating the incumbent president, Goodluck Jonathan — Nigeria’s first peaceful handover of power through democratic elections.
Sworn in on May 29, 2015, Buhari was re-elected in 2019, defeating former Vice President Atiku Abubakar by over three million votes. His tenure, which concluded in May 2023, was marked by a strong anti-corruption drive, efforts to boost security, and economic reforms, though also stirred considerable public debate.
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Muhammadu Buhari’s Final Return
Preparations are underway to repatriate Muhammadu Buhari to Nigeria for a state funeral. Official announcements regarding the burial arrangements are expected soon.
Tributes have continued to pour in from world leaders and citizens alike, celebrating Muhammadu Buhari as a figure who embodied both military and civilian leadership — leaving behind a complex but impactful legacy in Nigeria’s political history.
