…25 FEC Members in Katsina for the burial
… Special FEC now holds Friday
Indications have emerged that the Vice President Kashim Shettima-led federal government delegation on Tuesday departed London for Nigeria with the body of late President Muhammadu Buhari
The delegation had departed Abuja on the directives of President Bola Tinubu on Sunday to escort the body back to Nigeria.
Stanley Nkwocha, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Communications, confirmed the team’s departure.
Nkwocha said the team left London with the family of the late President.
” I can only confirm that the Vice President, Senator Kashim Shettima, as directed by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, has departed London for Nigeria in the company of some family members of the late former President Muhammadu Buhari.
” They are accompanying the remains of the late former President for burial in Daura, Katsina State, later today.
Read also: Buhari: Tinubu to receive body in Katsina, as world leaders pour encomiums
He disclosed that ” other members of the Federal Government’s delegation, as sent by President Tinubu, have also departed for Nigeria”
President Tinubu is expected to receive the body of late President Muhammadu Buhari on Tuesday in Katsina, according to the burial arrangements announced by the George Akume-led burial committee.
Already, twenty-five (25) members of the Federal Executive Council have been directed to proceed to Katsina to participate in the full schedule of the burial rites and remain for the Third-Day Prayers in Daura on Wednesday, 16th July, 2025.
The federal government, which earlier announced a public holiday for Tuesday, also announced that the Special Federal Executive Council (FEC) Meeting, earlier scheduled for Tuesday, 15th July 2025, has been rescheduled to Friday, 18th July 2025.
The high-level Federal Government delegation, led by the Vice-President Kashim Shettima, is expected to fly in with the body of the late President by 12 noon, and will be received by President Tinubu at the Katsina international airport, before proceeding to Daura, his hometown.
Sunday Dare, Special Adviser to the President on Media and Communication, writing on his X handle, said the trip to Daura will be preceded by a brief military ceremony at the Katsina airport
” There will be a Military Ceremony and Jana’iza in Daura.
“President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, will personally receive the remains of the former President in Katsina.
“The remains will thereafter proceed to Daura, where the Jana’iza (funeral prayer) will take place, followed by interment at the late President’s residence
“The President has directed that Condolence Registers be opened in all Federal Ministries, Departments, and Agencies. Additional registers will be opened at the Bola Ahmed Tinubu International Conference Centre in Abuja, as well as at Nigerian Embassies and Missions abroad.
“To ensure a dignified and well-coordinated programme, the President has constituted an Inter-Ministerial Committee to oversee the State Burial, in collaboration with the Katsina State Government and the family of the former President.
Read also: FG cancels emergency FEC, as Akume heads Buhari’s burial committee
“The Committee is chaired by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Sen. George Akume, CON” he said
” As we prepare to bid farewell to one of Nigeria’s foremost statesmen, the Federal Government urges all Nigerians to join in prayers and reflection for the repose of the soul of our former leader.
Recall that the President had also declared seven (7) days of National Mourning, which commenced on Sunday, 13th July 2025.
“During this period, the National Flag will fly at half-mast across the country. All State Governments and the private sector are hereby directed to comply accordingly. In addition, the President has declared tomorrow, Tuesday, a Public Holiday.”
The President has also continued to receive condolences from world leaders.
Barack Obama, former U.S. President, described late President Buhari as ” a man of integrity. He has a very clear agenda to fight corruption and promote accountability in Nigeria.”
António Guterres, UN Secretary-General, said, “Buhari was a calm force in a stormy region. His consistency made him a dependable voice on global security and African integration.”
David Cameron, former UK Prime Minister, also noted that “Buhari had taken bold steps to restore the confidence of the Nigerian people and international investors in governance.”
Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, Nigeria’s former Minister of Finance and currently the Director-General of the World Trade Organisation WTO stated that “Whatever one may think of Buhari politically, his personal discipline and anti-corruption stance are undeniable.”
Akinwumi Adesina, the African Development Bank AfDB President, said the late President “supported our African financial institutions and defended Africa’s economic dignity.”
Read also: World leaders pay tribute as Nigeria mourns former President Muhammadu Buhari
Also, William Kumuyi, Spiritual Leader and founder of the Deeper Life Bible Church, in his message, said that the late President ” was never after money. He lived a simple life, never changed his lifestyle, and was content with what he had.”
Former President Nana Akufo-Addo of Ghana described the late President as ” a friend to Ghana, and a stabilising father-figure on the West African stage.”
Aisha Buhari, the former President’s wife, said her late husband ” lived for Nigeria. And now he rests, fulfilled, in the mercy of his Creator.”
Former President of Nigeria, Olusegun Obasanjo, in his condolence message, said, “We disagreed on policy, but no one can deny Buhari’s honesty. He meant well for Nigeria.”
Lamido Sanusi, a former CBN Governor and now the Emir of Kano, stated that “His legacy is the restoration of moral accountability in government.”
