VICE President Kashim Shettima has recalled the final days of former President Muhammadu Buhari at a London hospital last year, revealing that he broke down in tears as he watched life gradually ebb away from the late Nigerian leader.
News Point Nigeria reports that Shettima made the emotional disclosure on Sunday during activities marking the first anniversary of Buhari’s death, describing his visit to the former president’s hospital bedside in London as one of the most painful moments of his life.
According to the vice president, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu personally directed him to travel to London after receiving reports about Buhari’s deteriorating health condition.
“The President (Bola Ahmed Tinubu) called me and said, ‘Kashim, I’ve just learnt that President Muhammadu Buhari is ill in London. Please kindly proceed to London and find out what is happening, and ensure he lacks nothing,’” Shettima said.
The vice president went on to describe the poignant scene at the London hospital, saying the experience left him visibly emotional.
“I came out with tears in my eyes and met Zara and Yusuf (Buhari’s children) at the door of the Intensive Care Unit (ICU). It was a moving spectacle. It was an emotional moment,” Shettima said, adding that escorting Buhari’s remains back to Nigeria remained one of the greatest honours of his life.
The late president’s body was subsequently flown home and buried in his hometown of Daura in Katsina State.
Echoes of Buhari’s life and times reverberated across Abuja during the remembrance activities, which drew members of his family, political associates, military allies and former subordinates.
President Tinubu led the dignitaries at the solemn event, which also attracted former Head of State, Gen. Yakubu Gowon, the leadership of the National Assembly, governors, traditional rulers and members of the diplomatic corps.
Representing President Tinubu at the event, Vice President Shettima delivered the keynote address and opened the floodgate of tributes to the late statesman.
In his message, President Tinubu reassured Buhari’s family of the Federal Government’s continued support and solidarity.
Addressing former First Lady Aisha Buhari and her children, the President said: “To the immediate family, to our dear Mrs. Aisha Buhari, and to the younger Buharis, I know that you have passed through a season of profound grief. Please be assured that the nation and this administration stand with you now and in all the years to come.
“Our administration will continue to hold you up in our prayers, trusting that Almighty Allah will comfort you, sustain you, and shield you from all harms.”
Reflecting on his political relationship with Buhari, Tinubu described the late president as a “co-traveller on the long road of politics and national development,” noting that they shared a deep commitment to building a progressive Nigeria.
“He gave everything he had to this country, and he gave it without reservation. He served with courage. He served with conviction and with a patriotism that never asked what the nation could return to him,” Tinubu said.
The President also praised Buhari’s ability to retain the affection and confidence of ordinary Nigerians even after leaving office, describing the feat as rare in public service.
“Power, ordinarily exhausts the affection of the governed… yet, when he laid down the burden of leadership, and through all the years of his retirement, and in his final months… the trust of ordinary Nigerians did not depart from him. It followed him into private life,” Tinubu remarked.
Before reading the official presidential address, Shettima departed briefly from the prepared speech to commend President Tinubu’s loyalty to his friends, recounting the instruction he received to personally assess Buhari’s condition in London.
Looking ahead, President Tinubu urged Buhari’s friends, associates and protégés to preserve and uphold the ideals for which the former president stood.
“Our duty, as his friends, as his mentees, and as his associates, is to carry forward the inheritance he left us: honesty, simplicity, and self-discipline,” Tinubu said, adding that Buhari’s legacy had become permanently etched in Nigeria’s collective memory.
Former Head of State, Gen. Yakubu Gowon, also reflected on their years together in the military, describing Buhari as a courageous soldier who dedicated himself to preserving Nigeria’s unity.
Gowon further praised the political alliance between Buhari and Tinubu, noting that the former president reciprocated Tinubu’s support by backing his emergence as president.
“He stood firmly behind President Tinubu so that he could continue serving Nigeria,” Gowon observed.
Katsina State Governor, Dikko Radda, described Buhari as the state’s “moral compass” and a leader whose integrity became synonymous with public service.
Represented by his deputy, Malam Faruk Lawal Jobe, Radda said Buhari’s passing had left a profound void, even as Katsina remained proud of his lifelong service to Nigeria.
“Here in Katsina State, President Buhari was more than a former Head of State, or former President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, he was our illustrious son, our pride and our moral compass. He never forgot his roots,” the governor said.
Radda noted that while Buhari pursued far-reaching reforms in infrastructure, rail transportation, agriculture and social investment, his greatest contribution remained the example of humility and modest leadership he demonstrated.
“Whether one agreed with all his policies or not, no one could reasonably question his sincerity of purpose, his simplicity of lifestyle and his unwavering commitment to the Nigerian project.
“He firmly believed that leadership was a sacred trust and that public office exists to serve the people rather than personal interests,” the governor added.
He urged Nigeria’s political class to move beyond speeches and symbolic gestures if they truly wished to honour Buhari’s memory.
“The greatest tribute we can pay to President Muhammadu Buhari is not merely through speeches, monuments or commemorative events. Rather, it is by embracing the principles that guided his life. If we truly wish to honour his memory, then we must commit ourselves to integrity over expediency, service over self-interest, justice over favouritism and national unity over division,” Radda said.
Among those who paid tribute to the late president were Borno State Governor Babagana Zulum; Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed; Ogun State Governor Dapo Abiodun; Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu; Jigawa State Governor Umar Namadi; and the Minister of Budget and National Planning, Abubakar Atiku Bagudu.
Also present were former governors Ibikunle Amosun of Ogun State and Simon Lalong of Plateau State; former Minister of Information and National Orientation, Lai Mohammed; former Minister of Foreign Affairs, Geoffrey Onyeama; and the Chairman of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, Brig.-Gen. Mohammed Buba Marwa (retd).
Other dignitaries included former National Chairmen of the All Progressives Congress, Dr Abdullahi Umar Ganduje and Senator Abdullahi Adamu; former Senate President Ahmad Lawan; former Chief of Army Staff, Gen. Tukur Buratai; former Comptroller-General of Immigration, Mohammed Babandede; former Plateau State Deputy Governor, Pauline Tallen; and several former appointees who served under Buhari.
Also in attendance were the Chairman of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum and Governor of Kwara State, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq; the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi; and the Emirs of Kazaure, Dutse and Nasarawa.
Meanwhile, Chairman of the Central Organising Committee and former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha, announced plans by Buhari’s family to establish the Muhammadu Buhari Foundation and Centre, as well as publish several legacy documents to preserve the former president’s contributions to Nigeria.
“Today is not merely about recalling the passing of a former President,” Mustapha said.
“It is an occasion to reflect on a life of service and to preserve for future generations the memory of a man who devoted much of his adult life to the service of Nigeria.”