Nigeria Mourns, Daura In Sorrow And Dikko In Grief

Nigeria Mourns, Daura In Sorrow And Dikko In Grief

By Tahir I Tahir Talban Bauchi

Muhammadu Buhari has passed on to the great beyond, the land of no return, the inevitable destination, and the home of reckoning for all (rejoicers inclusive). A destination where we’ve come from with bare hands, and will depart to with another set of absolutely bare hands. Muhammadu Buhari has left this world at a time it was least expected, having survived a most troubling period of ill-health in the hay days of his first tenure as democratically elected President. That calamitous experience that befell him inordinately shaped the rest of his tenures as President of the federal republic. Buhari is one of the very few in history that has an unhinged and occultic kind of followership where millions of people see him as an indefatigable and unblemished character. As IBB put it in his tribute to Buhari; Buhari serves as a moral compass to many. Buhari undoubtedly compares to legends like Mandela, Ghandi, pop icon Michael Jackson and the likes, who have a huge worldwide following that will always love, adore, cherish and worship them till the end of time. In Nigeria, Buhari has had the largest and most undiluted support base that could rival anyone’s in the world – a population of 12 million people ready and ever willing to support him, spanning over a period of more than 2 decades. Buhari was an unbelievable phenomenon, and hate him or love him, in Nigeria’s political history of leadership and governance, his following has been the largest, and his legacies are part of the most salient.

Most recently when Dr. Dikko Radda, the Katsina state governor hosted Katsina state’s APC stakeholders summit, Autan Rarara aka Dan Soja sang a most melodious song that moved Baba Buhari to hand over some money to the singer, something he has never done. The other musician that moved Buhari to dance was at Ibadan in 2019 where he did the ‘shakushaku’ dance. Yesterday when Buhari passed away, one could hear how shaken Dr. Radda was, his tears of grief shielded by the reporters mic on BBC Hausa, as he announced that Baba Buhari was to be buried in Daura, his hometown in Katsina state. Dr. Radda was speaking from London, where he had gone to pay Buhari a visit and see for himself how the late statesman was recuperating. Buhari died yesterday, the 13th of July, 2025 after he had been discharged from the hospital he was receiving treatment. He started having fresh complications from where he was resident and he was taken to a nearby clinic, where he was later on pronounced dead. Dikko Radda was with the late President’s family at the time, shating in their loss and grief.

In a brief message of tribute, the Katsina State Governor, Malam Dikko Umaru Radda expressed deep grief over the passing of former President Buhari following a prolonged illness. “Today, Nigeria has lost a patriot, Katsina has lost its most illustrious son, and I have lost a father figure whose footsteps I have endeavoured to follow,” Governor Radda said. Dr. Radda added, “former President Buhari, who served Nigeria with distinction as military head of state between January 1984 and August 1985, and later as democratically elected President in 2015 and 2023, represented the very best of Katsina’s values of integrity, service, and unwavering commitment to the masses. President Buhari was not just a leader; he was the embodiment of the common man’s aspirations. His people-oriented programs and genuine love for the masses defined his leadership philosophy”. The Governor noted that President Buhari’s legacy transcends political affiliations, describing him as a leader who consistently championed the cause of ordinary Nigerians throughout his distinguished career. From his early days as a military leader to his transformative presidency, President Buhari never forgot his roots. He remained connected to the soil of Katsina and the hearts of its people. His passing leaves an irreplaceable void in our collective consciousness,” the Governor stated. “As we mourn this irreplaceable loss, we must also celebrate a life well-lived in service to humanity. President Buhari legacy of putting people first will continue to inspire generations of leaders, the governor concluded.

Dr. Radda is in Katsina, working hand in hand with federal government officials to ensure that the late President’s internment and burial is done according to Islamic rites, while also honoring him with all the privileges and honor that are befitting of the burial of a former Nigerian President. Dr. Radda has been very close to Buhari, honoring him every step of the way, keeping him busy with one state function after the other, escorting him home all the way to Daura from the Katsina metropolis after every activity. You could visibly see the respect Radda has for the late war time general, and the love Buhari has for Radda, proudly accepting every invite of Radda, and participating in all events and programmes. Dr. Radda and former President Buhari’s activities in the last 4 to 5 months especially those relating to the APC stakeholders events, put to bed the rumors and insinuations that Buhari was leading politicians to the coalition. Clearly they were hobnobbing of their own volition while trying hard to hoodwink Nigerians into believing Buhari was with them. Buhari had reaffirmed his commitment to the APC and to President Tinubu in several statements issued by his spokesperson Mallam Garba Shehu. Dr. Dikko Radda on a recent interview on Channels TV, ‘blow-dried’ the coalition group tasking them to define their mission, as to whether they were going to reverse President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s policies or not. He was quite confident and effusive in the interview, tagging the politicians as deceitful, since they didn’t have better alternatives to what the govt is doing today. He urged them to stop pretending and trying to deceive Nigerians.

ALSO READ: BUHARI: TITANIC IN LIFE AND TRIUMPHANT IN DEATH

The Vice-President Kashim Shettima was in London with President Tinubu’s Chief of Staff Femi Gbajabiamila, on the president’s directive to condole with the family of late Buhari, and also expedite documentation necessary to have Buhari’s remains back in Nigeria, for a proper presidential burial. Shettima has described Buhari’s life as the ‘archetypal public servant’ whose dedication, integrity, and commitment to the nation should inspire future leaders and Nigerians generally. Gen. Abdulsalam described Buhari as the most trustworthy person he has ever met, and who is known to never betray anyone’s trust. He lamented that late Buhari’s officers betrayed his trust and mismanaged their offices. Gen. IBB described him as deeply patriotic and fiercely loyal to Nigeria, and that he has never for once doubted Buhari’s sincerity and patriotism. Former President Jonathan eulogised Buhari’s patriotism, courage and discipline. His life reflected decency, integrity and exemplary service President Jonathan added. President Tinubu’s doubly efforts to honor former President Buhari’s burial is quite remarkable I must add. Those struggling to put a wedge in their relationship can rest now I suppose, Buhari is no more, Tinubu is honoring him, and that is that. Lastly, we pray that the dead will be left to rest atleast.

Nigeria Mourns, Daura In Sorrow And Dikko In Grief