Tinubu mourns Buhari, orders flags to fly at half-mast seven days, conveys emergency FEC session

By Kazeem Ugbodaga

President Bola Tinubu has expressed deep sorrow over the death of former President Muhammadu Buhari, describing him as a patriot, statesman, and soldier whose enduring legacy of service and sacrifice helped shape modern Nigeria.

The late President Buhari passed away on Sunday, July 13, 2025, at a hospital in the United Kingdom. He was 82.

In a solemn statement released hours after the news broke, President Tinubu paid tribute to his predecessor, whom he lauded for a lifetime defined by duty, honour, and an unwavering belief in Nigeria’s unity and progress.

“President Buhari was, to the very core, a patriot. He stood firm through turbulent times, led with quiet strength and integrity, and placed Nigeria above personal interest at every turn,” Tinubu said.

He highlighted Buhari’s dual legacy as both a former military ruler and a democratically elected President, noting his courageous fight against corruption and his steadfast commitment to discipline in public service.

Buhari, he recalled, governed first from 1984 to 1985 as a military leader and later from 2015 to 2023 as a civilian president.

In honour of the late statesman, President Tinubu announced a series of national tributes. All flags across Nigeria are to fly at half-mast for seven days beginning Sunday. An emergency session of the Federal Executive Council will be held on Tuesday, July 15, solely in Buhari’s honour.

Tinubu also confirmed that the Federal Government would bestow full state honours on the late leader, “befitting his towering contributions to our country.”

The President extended his condolences to the Buhari family, including the former First Lady, Aisha Buhari, with whom he said he has been in constant contact. He also commiserated with the government and people of Katsina State, particularly the Daura Emirate, Buhari’s ancestral home.

As the nation enters a period of official mourning, President Tinubu urged Nigerians to reflect on the legacy of a leader who, in his words, “inspired generations to serve with courage, conviction, and selflessness.”

“May Allah forgive his shortcomings and grant him Al-Jannah Firdaus,” he concluded.