…And Katsina governor Dikko Radda cried for Buhari

By Ayorinde Oluokun with agency report

As the governor of late President Muhammadu Buhari’s Katsina home state, Governor Dikko Rada has been busy since the death of the two time Nigerian leader was announced last Sunday.

Radda was with the family of the late President in London and later returned to Katsina State to take charge of the preparation of the funeral and burial of the late President. On Tuesday, the governor was at the airport very early in the day as the remains of the late President were being expected from London welcoming guests.

When the body of the Buhari finally arrived, Radda was also very prominent in series of activities that finally led to its transportation to Daura for burial.

The Katsina governor was seen by the side of the remains as the military gave the final honour to the late President before the final burial in Daura, his hometown.

However, Radda betrayed emotion and burst into tears like some of the family members of the late President and others as the body was lowered into the grave.

The former President’s burial at his residence in Daura was witnessed by his immediate family members, President Bola Tinubu, Governors, Ministers and the masses, among other thousands of mourners.

The burial was attended by the Vice-President Kashim Shettima, former Vice-President, Yemi Osinbajo, President of Guinea Bissau, Umaro Sissoco Embaló and the Prime Minister of Niger Republic, Ali Lamine Zeine.

Others were: Service Chiefs, Captains of industry, former governors, representative of the President of Chad Republic, Islamic clerics, and other high profile personalities from within amd outside the country.

As part of the final honours, a joint Military team rendered a 21-gun salute before the former president was interred at his private residence in Daura.

Before his final interment, the Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Christopher Musa, who read Buhari’s citation, described his demise as a profound loss to the country and his immediate family.
Musa said the late Buhari was a fine soldier, who exhibited high sense of professionalism, discipline, honesty, integrity and selfless service to the country.

Earlier on arrival in Daura, the body was received by a mammoth crowd, praising the name of Allah and seeking divine mercy for the former Nigerian leader.

The family members of the the late president were allowed to see his corpse for few minutes to offer fervent prayers for the repose of his soul.

Buhari, a former Military Head of State from 1984 to 1985, returned to power through democratic elections in 2015 and was re-elected in 2019.

His years in office were marked by anti-corruption campaigns, infrastructural reforms, and a mixed record on security and economic growth.