A SOLEMN and emotional seven-day Fidau prayer was held in Abuja on Sunday in honour of late former President Muhammadu Buhari, as his former cabinet members, political associates, and well-wishers gathered to pray for the repose of his soul.
News Point Nigeria reports that the prayer, held at the Ansar-ud-Deen Central Mosque in Wuse 2, drew attendance from some of Buhari’s most loyal allies and ministers, including Sadiya Umar Farouq, former Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Senator Hadi Sirika, former Minister of Aviation, and Rotimi Amaechi, former Minister of Transportation.
Also present was Alhaji Nasiru Haladu Danu, the Sardaunan Dutse, who was the chief organiser of the event and a close confidant of the late president.
Addressing the media after the prayer session, Sadiya Umar Farouq described the occasion as part of the ongoing wave of prayers being held across Nigeria and beyond in memory of the late president.
“This is a continuation of several prayers taking place across the country. The former president was a man of faith, humility, and dedication to service. The seven-day prayer is not the end, we will continue to remember him in our prayers,” she said.
Farouq, visibly emotional, added that the essence of the gathering was not only to pray but to inspire others to emulate Buhari’s discipline and devotion to the country.
“What every Muslim and indeed every Nigerian is expected to do is continue to pray for him and reflect on his values. We will also continue to try our best to emulate him,” she added.
Although a Christian, Rotimi Amaechi said he felt compelled to attend the prayer because of the profound impact Buhari had on his life and on the nation.
“I came here out of respect. He was an honest and disciplined leader who loved Nigeria deeply,” Amaechi said. “He didn’t see religion or tribe, he saw Nigeria. He gave me and many others an opportunity to serve and taught us what it means to lead with integrity.”
Amaechi, who served as Director-General of Buhari’s presidential campaigns before joining his cabinet, said the former president left a personal mark on his life.
Senator Hadi Sirika, who had a long and close relationship with Buhari, described him as a mentor and spiritual compass, quoting a verse from the Qur’an that shaped their bond.
“He was my leader, teacher, and mentor. Someone I have known nearly all my life. A man of integrity and honour,” Sirika said.
He recalled a verse from the Qur’an that guided his relationship with Buhari: ‘O you who believe, fear Allah and associate yourselves with those who are trustworthy.’
“That is what bonded me to him not just during his life, but even now in death,” he said, his voice tinged with emotion.
According to Sirika, Buhari’s leadership was unique in its unwavering commitment to honesty. “He was entrusted with positions of power, and he never betrayed that trust not once. He served Nigeria more selflessly than most people ever will.”
The Fidau prayer was spearheaded by Nasiru Haladu Danu, also known as the Sardaunan Dutse, who emphasized that Buhari’s lifestyle remained consistent from his military career through to his time as president.
“Even when he was alive, he was not a man of material things,” Danu said. “He was a level stone. From the military to his presidency, he remained committed to simplicity and service. What else can you give a man like that but prayer?”
Danu added that Buhari never sought wealth or luxury, and that his moral compass remained untouched by the trappings of power.
“He served this country with all his heart. He lived simply. He lived honestly. And now, we pray for him as a sign of our love and gratitude,” he said.
The Fidau prayer served not just as a religious obligation, but as a reflection on the life and legacy of a man who defined a political era in Nigeria. It brought together people of different faiths, parties, and regions united by the memory of a man whose discipline and simplicity left a lasting impression.
As prayers continue across Nigeria and in the diaspora, the voices of those who served with Buhari echoed the same sentiment: he was not a perfect leader, but he was a sincere one. And in today’s Nigeria, that alone is a rare and powerful legacy.
