By; Akinsola Ayomide
Former President Muhammadu Buhari has died at the age of 82 while receiving medical treatment in London, according to an official statement released on Sunday by his spokesperson, Garba Shehu.
Garba Shehu revealed that the former president died in a London clinic while undergoing medical treatment. Although the nature of his illness has not been made public, Buhari had a long history of health-related trips to the United Kingdom during and after his time in office. “The family of the former president has announced his passing this afternoon in a clinic in London. May Allah forgive his shortcomings and grant him Aljannah Firdaus,” Shehu said in a brief statement.
Buhari, a retired Major General, served as Nigeria’s military head of state from 1983 to 1985, and later as a democratically elected president from 2015 to 2023 under the All Progressives Congress (APC). His political career spanned several decades. Born on December 17, 1942, in Daura, Katsina State, Buhari first rose to prominence in Nigeria’s military circles before taking power through a coup in 1983. After being overthrown in 1985, he returned to the political scene in the early 2000s, eventually winning the 2015 election after three failed attempts.
Reactions to his death have begun pouring in from across Nigeria and the international community, with tributes highlighting his long service to the nation and his complex legacy. Official plans for his funeral are expected to be announced soon, with the federal government likely to organize a state ceremony in line with Islamic traditions and national honors.
