One of the daughters of late former President Muhammadu Buhari, Fatima Buhari, has arrived at her father’s home in Daura on Tuesday in tears, as the family prepared for his burial.
Fatima was seen grieving quietly while being comforted by friends and relatives. Other members of the Buhari family have also been sighted in his Daura home on Tuesday morning, while the former president’s body was en route to Nigeria from London.
Buhari died on Sunday in a London hospital after a protracted illness. He was military Head of State between 1983 and 1985, and later served as civilian president from 2015 to 2023.
The remains of the former leader departed London aboard a Nigerian Air Force aircraft, heading to Katsina for burial in Daura.
High-profile leaders in Nigeria, including former Minister of Solid Minerals Kayode Fayemi; former Governor of Ogun State, Ibikunle Amosun; and former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, have all arrived in Daura to commiserate with his family.
Former Governor of Rivers State Rotimi Amaechi, Former Governor of Borno State Ali Moddu Sheriff; former Speaker Aminu Bello Masari; the Emir of Daura, and other top dignitaries have all arrived ahead of Buhari’s burial.
News Central reports that the First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, departed Abuja and is en route to Daura to attend the funeral rites.
Meanwhile, the state burial is being planned by a 25-member Presidential Committee set up in conjunction with the Katsina State government.
The Federal Government has declared a seven-day period of national mourning, during which all flags are to fly at half-mast across the country and at Nigerian missions abroad.
Daura is seen as the spiritual home of the Hausa people. Daura is believed to be one of the oldest Hausa cities in the country. The Daura Emirate is often referred to as one of the “seven true Hausa states.”
