Family of the late Nigeria former President, Muhammadu Buhari on Sunday issued and released a letter of appreciation to people who sent in condolence messages after the former Nigeria President died on Sunday July 13, 2025 at a London hospital, but, the Buhari family mentioned several names they considered as notable people among those who sent in condolences which some of them did not attend the burial ceremony and apparently ignored three former Presidents of Nigeria that were major rivals to the late Muhammadu Buhari’s Presidency despite the fact that former Presidents Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, GEJ, Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida, IBB, and Olusegun Obasanjo, OBJ were among the notable personalities in the society to send condolences early enough to the family and the nation at large exactly same day Buhari died, while OBJ personally issued video press release to mourn the death of Muhammadu Buhari, GEJ after issuing condolence message, visited the family of late Buhari in London the next day to console with the bereaved family, and also, IBB after morning the demise of late President Muhammadu Buhari, sent his children led by Mohammed Babangida to Katsina state to pay the family and the people condolence visit over the death of the late former Head of State, Muhammadu Buhari that was ousted out of power as then Nigeria Military Head of State on August 27, 1985 by IBB in a bloodless coup that led to the arrest and detention of Buhari at a prison facility in Benin City for almost three years.
Olusegun Obasanjo took over as Nigeria Head of State in 1976 after Buhari’s close associate in the Nigeria military, Murtala Muhammed was assassinated on February 13, 1976, a military head of state which Buhari was part of the group of officers that overthrew the government of General Yakubu Gowon and installed the assassinated Murtala Muhammed as Head of State after the late Murtala Muhammed led the 1966 Nigerian counter-coup in overthrowing the military regime of Johnson Aguiyi-Ironsi and played a major role during the Nigerian Civil War and thereafter ruled Nigeria from 29 July 1975 during which he made Muhammadu Buhari became the first governor of Borno State following the division of the North-Eastern State into Bauchi, Borno, and Gongola states on February 3, 1976.
After Obasanjo became Military Head of State, Buhari served as governor of Borno from February 3, 1976, to March 15, 1976. During the era of Murtala, Buhari was previously appointed as the Governor of the North-Eastern State from August 1, 1975, to February 3, 1976 until the division of the North-Eastern State and the subsequent creation of three states from the region.
Obasanjo was a major political contender to Buhari after Nigeria returned to civil rule in 1999. Obasanjo defeated Buhari in the 2003 election and led his political party candidates, Umaru Musa Yar’Adua, Goodluck Ebele Jonathan to defeat Buhari in 2007, 2011 respectively, and in 2015, Obasanjo announced his neutrality in Nigeria politics following his resignation from the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP ahead of the March 28, 2015 Nigeria General Elections, and Buhari defeated the incumbent President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan to become Nigeria President in 2015 and subsequently re-elected for second tenure in 2019.
According to Obasanjo, Buhari died at a time when Nigerians needed the totality of all those who have had experiences in running the affairs of the country in the past to bring their experiences and statesmanship out to salvage the current situation the country is faced with.
Obasanjo in the less than 2 minutes video press release condolence message said that Buhari tried his best and was a big loss to the country, adding that it is his prayers that God should forgive Buhari, his inadequacies and accept him into His Kingdom.
Goodluck Ebele Jonathan in a statement after visiting the Buhari family in London on July 14, 2025, said: “I joined other sympathisers to pay a condolence visit to the family of late former President Mohammed Buhari in London, this evening.
I also visited the Nigerian House where I met with members of the Federal Government delegation who have come to accompany the remains of the former President to Nigeria for burial, including Vice President H.E Kashim Shettima, Chief of Staff to the President, Right Honourable Femi Gbajabiamila and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Tuggar.
May Allah forgive the shortcomings of late President Buhari and grant him aljannah firdaus”.
On July 13, 2025, shortly after the announcement of Buhari’s death, Goodluck Ebele Jonathan issued a statement and said: “It is with a heavy heart and profound sense of national loss that I received the news of the passing of former President Muhammadu Buhari who died at the age of 82.
President Buhari was a notable leader, patriot, and elder statesman who served our beloved nation as both a military Head of State and President, to the best of his abilities.
He will be remembered as a courageous leader, a disciplined officer, and a committed public servant who made considerable contributions towards the peace and progress of our dear nation.
The late President was deeply admired across the strata of society for his decency, integrity and exemplary life of service. As a leader, he was selfless in his commitment to his duty and served the country with character and a deep sense of patriotism.
In his passing, Nigeria has lost one of its foremost leaders, and I have lost a respected colleague and elder. His legacy will continue to endure in the hearts of all who value sacrifice, integrity, perseverance and devotion to national ethos.
On behalf of my family and the Goodluck Jonathan Foundation, I extend my heartfelt condolences to his immediate family, the good people of Katsina State and all Nigerians who mourn this great loss.
May Allah forgive his shortcomings, accept his good deeds and grant him Jannatul Firdaus”.
ThisDay Newspaper on July 13, 2025 reported that Nigeria “former military president, General Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida, has paid glowing tribute to former President Muhammadu Buhari who died on Sunday in London at the age of 82 years, describing his passage as the loss of a symbol.
General Babangida, in the tribute he personally signed and titled ‘Tribute To A Brother Friend, And Patriot — Muhammadu Buhari (GCFR)’ in Minna his country home declared: “His (Buhari) passing today is not just the loss of a former Head of State, or a two-term civilian President, it is the loss of a symbol — a man whose life embodied the transition of Nigeria from the old guard to the new republic.
“A man who, even in retirement, remained a moral compass to many, and an example of modesty in public life.”
According to Babangida, the late former President, Buhari, beyond the uniform and the public glare, was a deeply spiritual man, a man who found solace in faith, and who carried himself with the humility of someone who believed in a higher calling.
“We may not have agreed on everything — as brothers often don’t — but I never once doubted his sincerity or his patriotism,” Babangida stated.
Describing the deceased as “my friend, my brother, my course mate and a fellow soldier in the journey of nationhood”, Babangida said Buhari stood out — quiet yet resolute, principled yet humble, deeply patriotic and fiercely loyal to Nigeria.
“Through the years, we shared trenches and trials, dreams and disappointments, victories and moments of reflection. Our bond was forged not only by military training, but by a shared commitment to the ideals of service, discipline, and love for country” he said.
The former military president expressed his condolences “to his beloved wife, Aisha, his children, grandchildren and the nation he loved and served”.
He prayed Allah in His infinite mercy to, forgive the deceased’s shortcomings, accept his deeds and grant him Aljannatul Firdaus”.
Days after Buhari was laid to rest, Babangida sent his children and other members of his family led by Mohammed Babangida on a condolence visit to Governor Dikko Umaru Radda at the Government House in Katsina, following the passing of former President Muhammadu Buhari.
Speaking on behalf of the delegation, Chief Imam of the IBB Residence Mosque, Alhaji Ibrahim Aliyu offered heartfelt prayers for the late President, describing him as “a man of integrity whose life left a lasting impact on the nation.” He prayed for Allah’s mercy upon him and asked for strength and comfort for the people of Katsina State and Nigeria as a whole.
Governor Radda thanked the delegation of former President IBB for their visit, noting the long-standing bond between former President Babangida, the late President Buhari, and Katsina State. He reaffirmed the deep sense of loss felt by the entire nation and emphasized the importance of unity and continued service to the people in honour of the late President’s enduring legacy.
The Governor particularly prayed for former President Ibrahim Babangida’s strong health in his continued service to the country.
Mohammed Babangida was accompanied by his sister, Halima Babangida; a Director at NEXIM Bank, Mohammed Haruna; Aminu Abubakar Alhaji; and the Chief Imam of the IBB Residence Mosque, Alhaji Ibrahim Aliyu.
The Late President Buhari family in a press release on Sunday as signed and made available to the public by the former Presidential Senior Special Assistant to Muhammadu Buhari on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu, said; “the most senior member of the Buhari family, the family of the late President, Muhammadu Buhari, Malam Mamman Daura has, on behalf of the family expressed gratitude to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and his wife, the First Lady, Senator Remi Tinubu for their role and that of Government of the Federation before, and after the passing of the former president.
“It is truly comforting to receive such support from the President and the Vice President, Kashim Shettima, who went to the United Kingdom, and here in Daura, for the days he and the ministers during the mourning period. These have instilled confidence in all of us to face this loss with courage.
“We are deeply grateful to the President on his thoughtful gestures in declaring a public holiday and renaming the University of Maiduguri after Buhari.
“Our gratitude also goes to leaders of the various countries around the globe who either came in person, sent representatives, sent letters, or placed personal telephone calls to commiserate with us.
Of special note were those of the King of England, King Charles III, the Secretary General of the United Nations, the Deputy Secretary General, Amina Mohammed, the Chairman of the African Union, and that of the Committee of Heads of State and Government of ECOWAS countries, and our former Head of State, Abdulsalami Abubakar.
“Muhammadu Buhari’s demise is an irreparable loss and its pain is beyond words, but the general reaction and kind expressions give us the strength to cope with the loss of our esteemed family member and former leader of the country.
“The family is equally grateful to Vice President Kashim Shettima in his own person and his wife, and to all state governors, especially those of Katsina, the host governor Dr Dikko Umar Radda; Professor Babagana Umara Zulum of Borno State and all those who visited us in the UK and Daura from Adamawa, Kano, Kwara, Lagos, Kaduna, Imo, Nasarawa, Bauchi, Sokoto, Kebbi as well as the several former governors, including Mr. Peter Obi for their compassionate words of condolence. Your empathy has touched our hearts deeply, and we are truly grateful for your kindness.
“We express our deep appreciations to former Vice Presidents Atiku Abubakar, Architect Namadi Sambo, Professor Yemi Osinbajo, and Ambassador Babagana Kingibe as well as to the President of Senate, Godswill Akpabio, the Speaker, House of Representatives, Honorable Tajuddeen Abbas, Deputy Senate President Barau Jibrin and the other leaders and members of the National and State Assemblies.
“We do sincerely thank the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, SGF, Senator George Akume and his predecessor in office, Boss Mustapha, the current Chief of Staff, Honorable Femi Gbajabiamila and his predecessor, Professor Ibrahim Gambari, former and serving members of the cabinet in both administrations for their activities in these events and their comforting words.
“We are very pleased with the amazing gestures of our traditional leaders, notably the Sultan of Sokoto, the Shehu of Borno, the Emir of Gwandu and the host emirs of Katsina and Daura, as well as the various emirs and chiefs from all over Nigeria and the neighboring countries who came in person or sent representatives.
“We have been honored by the large turnout of religious leaders, Islamic, Christian and of other faiths, community leaders, women, youth and politicians of various leanings whose surge in Daura was both challenging and reassuring.
“The family in Daura is also thanking past and serving security and intelligence, police and military leaders, permanent secretaries, and the rank and file civil servants, community groups and associations, civil society, and the media.
“The family expresses its appreciation to the nation’s business leaders who visited Daura in the persons of Alhaji Aliko Dangote, Abdul Samad Isyaka Rabi’u, Alhaji Muhammadu Indimi, Alhaji Dahiru Mangal, Kola Adesina and Nasiru Danu.
“We also take this opportunity to thank the entire citizens of this country and those of other nations represented by their missions in Nigeria.
“All of Nigeria came out in force to bury Buhari and condole with us and pray for him. We are deeply grateful for the visits, the condolence messages, and prayers on him. We are thankful to all.
“We respect your prayers as I and the family go through this period. May the Almighty Allah bless and reward you all.”
We had reported that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has confirmed and announced the death of the Nigeria immediate past President, Muhammadu Buhari at a London Hospital at about 4:30pm on Sunday, after years of rumours and speculations by the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu that the person that ruled Nigeria for the last eight years died few years after he took over office on May 29, 2015.