The All Progressives Congress (APC) on Sunday in Abuja, said it was shocked and deeply saddened by the passing of former President Muhammadu Buhari at the age of 82.
Mr Felix Morka, the party’s National Publicity Secretary said this in a statement while reacting to the development, adding that Nigeria had lost an enigmatic leader and iconic elder-statesman.
Buhari died in a private hospital in London on Sunday.
Morka described Buhari as an exemplary patriot whose life of devoted resolve, resilience, discipline and integrity would remain evergreen in the hearts and minds of the current and future generations of Nigerians.
The APC’s spokesman said until his passing, Buhari led a simple but exceptional life of service to the nation.
“From his tenure as Chairman of Petroleum Trust Fund (PTF) to his service as a Military Head of State, and a two-term President, he has left behind a solid and awe-inspiring legacy of leadership and service.
“Against the backdrop of his record of military service, the departed former president was an unlikely democrat, but is one of the most influential contributors to the strengthening and consolidation of our democracy.
“Aside his stint with the defunct All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP), he led the emergence of the Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) which later merged with other political parties to birth the APC in 2013.
“The late President Buhari made history when he became the first presidential contender to defeat an incumbent president in 2015 on the platform of APC,” Morka said.
He expressed condolences to the former president’s immediate family, President Bola Tinubu and the entire Federal Government.
He also expressed condolences to the government and people of Katsina State, and Nigerians over the irreparable loss, praying the Almighty Allah to grant his soul Aljannatul Firdaus.
Buhari will be remembered for his patriotism – ADC
The African Democratic Congress (ADC) says former President, Muhammadu Buhari, will be remembered for his indelible imprints on Nigeria’s political history as an elder-statesman and above all, as a great patriot.
The party stated this, in a statement, by its National Publicity Secretary, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, in Abuja on Sunday.
The ADC described the former military ruler and president as a towering figure, who typified humility, integrity and zero tolerance for corruption.
The party condoled with the family of Buhari and all Nigerians at this moment of grief.
It also prayed that Almighty Allah forgives Buhari’s shortcomings and grant him Aljana’ah firdaus.
Progressive Governors Forum mourns Buhari, condoles Tinubu, Nigerians
The Progressive Governors Forum has expressed deep sorrow over the death of former President Muhammadu Buhari, describing the news as shocking.
The group condoled with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the Nigerian people, and the late president’s family.
The condolence message was signed by the Chairman of the Forum and Governor of Imo, Sen. Hope Uzodimma.
According to the governors, the news of Buhari’s passing came as profound shock and sadness.
They extended their heartfelt condolences to Nigerians and the bereaved family.
The forum described Buhari’s death as a “monumental loss, not just to his immediate family, but the nation at large.
“With the passing of President Buhari, Nigeria bids farewell to one of its most emblematic figures of honest and dedicated leadership; an era shaped by integrity, patriotism, and uncommon sacrifice,” the statement added.
It further described the late president as an “unparalleled patriot”, pointing out that after a distinguished military career, he returned through democratic means to continue serving the country with honour and commitment.
The statement recalled Buhari’s notable track record in office, “especially his determined stance against corruption and indiscipline.
“He upheld these principles both as a military Head of State and a democratically-elected president.
“Buhari’s legacy as a moral compass for transparent and accountable governance will continue to inspire generations of leaders across Nigeria and Africa,” the statement added.
While mourning with Tinubu, Nigerians, and the Buhari family, the forum prayed for the peaceful repose of the late president’s soul.
Buhari gave us peace after years of terror – Maiduguri residents
Some residents of Maiduguri, Borno have eulogised late President Muhammadu Buhari for restoring peace to the North-East during his tenure.
In their tributes on the passing of the former President, they recalled how the beleaguered region, once under militant control, witnessed a steady return to peace.
Specifically, they recalled how 23 local government areas in Borno, Yobe, Adamawa, and Gombe states were liberated from Boko Haram occupation.
Ibrahim Kachallah, a resident, told the NAN in Maiduguri, that over two million IDPs were resettled to their homes following peace restoration, during Buhari’s administration.
Kachallah said the late President equally approved the construction of over 10,000 houses for IDPs who lost their homes.
Babagana Goni, who expressed the same sentiments, said key among Buhari’s developmental legacies in the region was the Maiduguri Emergency Power Project, a 50 MW gas‑fired plant commissioned on March 2, 2023.
The project was jointly built by NNPC Ltd., General Electric, and China Machinery Engineering Company.
Goni recalled that before the project was inaugurated, Maiduguri and its environs had been in darkness for over a year due to attacks by Boko Haram on power holding facilities.
Goni described the power project as a “lifeline that reignited commerce,” with Buhari directing power authorities to sustain collaboration with NNPC for expanded gas utilisation.
“These efforts transformed Maiduguri’s energy landscape. Before, the night was darker than the siege,” another resident, Halima Musa, a small‑scale rice farmer recalled
Another local, Ahmed Japhet, credited Buhari’s insurgency campaign, saying; “He gave us peace after years of terror.
“23 LGAs in Borno were freed. I lost friends, families and relatives to Boko Haram; that freedom mattered,” she said
Fatima Bulama, a Borno‑based teacher said Buhari initiated several empowerment programs for the youths and farming communities.
“ The Anchor Borrower Programme provided a lifeline for several families during his tenure. He came, saw our darkness, and lit a path, not just lamps. He gave hope to all of us,” she said.
Abdulrahman Chiroma recalled Buhari first held power from 1983 to 1985 as a military head of state.
“He returned democratically in 2015, heralding himself as an anti‑corruption crusader. He wielded a broom as a symbol of reform and was notably the first opposition candidate to topple an incumbent .
“Yet his legacy was mixed: under him Boko Haram was technically defeated in 2016. Despite the successes, insecurity persisted.
Shehu Umar, a trader in Maiduguri said: “He arrived in our darkest hour and left footprints in our soil”.
Buhari passed away on Sunday in a London hospital. His death was announced by his family in a statement issued by his former spokesman, Mallam Garba Shehu.
President Bola Tinubu had announced a national mourning with flags lowered half‑mast and the Vice‑President, Kashim Shettima dispatched to United Kingdom to convey Buhari’s body home.
Buhari served as Nigeria’s President from 2015 to 2023 and previously as a Military Head of State from 1983 to 1985.
Enugu residents mourn Buhari
Residents of Enugu have mourned the death of former President Muhammadu Buhari, who died at a London Clinic, on Sunday.
Reacting to his death on Sunday, the Convener of the Civil Society Support for Igboland Development (CSSID), Mr Chidike Ukoh, described him as a “man that can never be bent but always stood on his words”.
Ukoh said his death was sudden, noting that everyone had his or her own date as far as life was concerned.
“Buhari is not that too young, but one would have wished, no matter how old your parents are that they cross 100 years and counting.
“Personally, when he came on board in 1983 through a coup that took away the government of Shehu Shagari who happened to be democratically elected president then, he promised to sanitize the system that the military regime at that time labeled as corrupt beyond measure,” he said.
According to him, Buhari came with the mindset of doing things differently leading to the launching of War Against Indiscipline.
“We thought he would have helped us eradicate corruption in the governance system in Nigeria but unfortunately, that did not happen.
“So his second coming, we thought that he would carry on with the same mindset of eradicating corruption but he did not get it right as many were still complaining.
“Having contested that office without winning for about three times, we thought when he got it right to become president, things would change,” he stressed.
Praying for repose of his soul, Ukoh urged those in authority to always leave a legacy they would be remembered for and be conscious of what history would tell about them.
An Enugu resident, Mrs Lilian Anyim, said the former president was dedicated, hardworking and tried his best for the country.
“I just got the news as a shock, although, you know, people have always felt he was not too healthy, but not wish him death at this time just immediately, a few years after his tenure as the president.
“But what can we do or say? That’s how God wants it and if there is anything we can learn from his life, it is hard work,” she said.
A lawyer, Mr Nnamdi Ezemagu, said nobody celebrated another’s death, saying death was inevitable adventure that anybody would be expecting irrespective of the age.
“The former president has done his part and we pray Almighty God to accept his soul.We cannot judge him as he has done his own part.
“Our Nigeria problem is not just about individuals but generic,” Ezemagu said.
Zaria residents mourn Buhari, extend condolences
Residents of Zaria, including a prominent traditional title holder, Marafan Yamman Zazzau, Alhaji Mustapha Ubaidullahi, have paid their respects to the late former President Muhammadu Buhari.
While speaking to NAN via a telephone interview in Zaria on Sunday, Ubaidullah extended his heartfelt condolences to the Daura Emirate, Buhari’s family and the entire country.
He said the former president was in Zaria and Sabon Gari Local Governments during his second tenure where he inaugurated several developmental projects of former Gov. Malam Nasiru El-Rufai.
Ubaidullahi, who holds the title of Marafan Yamman Zazzau l, said the visit was the last official one of the former president to Zaria, adding, “but as residents of Zaria, we take that visit as a great to us.
“We, therefore, pray for the Almighty God to forgive him,” Ubaidullahi said.
Similarly, a resident of Kofar Kibo Area in Zaria, Malam Sani Aliyu, eulogised the late former president, hailing him as a paragon of unity and selfless leadership.
According to Aliyu, Buhari’s detribalised approach and consensus-building style were instrumental in maintaining the country’s unity.
Alhaji Suleiman Bello a businessman at the Sabon Gari Market, Zaria, described Buhari as an anti-corruption crusader who demonstrated unwavering commitment to transparency and accountability, inspiring a new generation of leaders.
Buhari: We lost a great leader, says Oyebanji
Governor Biodun Oyebanji of Ekiti has expressed condolences on the passing of former President Muhammadu Buhari.
This is contained in a statement signed by his Special Adviser on Media, Yinka Oyebode, in Ado-Ekiti on Sunday.
Buhari, 82, died in London on Sunday.
“We have lost a great leader. This is indeed a monumental loss to Nigeria in particular, and Africa as a whole,” Oyebanji said.
According to him, the late Buhari did not only serve the country meritoriously right from his youthful days as a military officer, he lived an exemplary life of selfless service to the nation.
The governor described the former President as a patriot, a man of integrity and a statesman, who earned his place in history as an anti-corruption champion.
Oyebanji noted that the late President had at different period in his life, made some sacrifices towards the greatness of the country.
The governor said Buhari had etched his name in gold.
He urged the children of the late President to be consoled by the fact that their father lived a good and impactful life, and left behind legacies of integrity and service in his decades of nation building efforts.
“On behalf of my family, the Government and good people of Ekiti State, we commiserate with our President, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu; the wife, children and family of the late President Buhari, the leadership of our party, APC and Nigerians as a whole on the passing of the immediate past President.
“May Allah forgive his shortcomings and grant him eternal rest in aljanah,” the governor said.