By Harriet Tornguvan -Abuja
Former President of Nigeria, Muhammadu Buhari, passed away at the age of 82. He died on Sunday afternoon in a London hospital following an undisclosed illness.
The news of his death was confirmed by his former spokesperson, Garba Shehu, in a statement shared via his official X (formerly Twitter) account.
"The family of the former president announced the passing of Muhammadu Buhari this afternoon in a clinic in London. May Allah accept him into Aljannatul Firdaus. Amin,” Shehu wrote.
Born on December 17, 1942, in Daura, Katsina State, Buhari was a retired major general and a prominent figure in Nigeria’s political and military history. He first came to national attention when he became Nigeria’s military Head of State from 1983 to 1985 following a coup d’état.
His military regime was noted for its tough anti-corruption stance and rigid enforcement of discipline, though it was widely criticized for human rights abuses and authoritarian practices.
Buhari made several attempts to return to power through democratic means before being elected President in 2015 under the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC), defeating then-incumbent President Goodluck Jonathan. His election marked a historic moment as it was Nigeria’s first peaceful transfer of power from one political party to another.
He was re-elected in 2019 and completed his second term in 2023. During his eight years in office, Buhari prioritized the fight against corruption and insurgency, particularly Boko Haram in the northeast.
His administration, however, faced challenges including economic downturns, rising insecurity, and criticisms over perceived human rights violations and economic hardship.
Muhammadu Buhari is survived by his wife, Aisha Buhari, and their children. Funeral arrangements are yet to be announced by the family.
