*Postpones Special FEC Meeting, Tributes Pour In

*National Assembly Shifts Legislative Duties To July 22

*Tinubu To Receive Body From UK, To Be Buried In Daura

THE Federal Government has declared Tuesday, July 15, a public holiday in honour of the late former President, Muhammadu Buhari.

This is in addition to the seven-day national mourning declared earlier by President Bola Tinubu in honour of his predecessor.

Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, in a statement signed by the Permanent Secretary in the ministry, Magdalene Ajani, on behalf of the minister, said the holiday was a mark of respect for the late President’s service to the country, his contributions to Nigeria’s democratic journey and enduring legacy in governance and national development.

According to the statement: “President Muhammadu Buhari served Nigeria with dedication, integrity and an unwavering commitment to the unity and progress of our great nation.

“This public holiday provides an opportunity for all Nigerians to reflect on his life, leadership, and the values he upheld.”

He urged Nigerians to use the day to honour the late President’s memory by promoting peace, patriotism and national cohesion, in line with his vision for a prosperous and united Nigeria, noting: “As earlier announced, the national flags are to fly at half-mast for the seven-day mourning period from Sunday, July 13, 2025.

“The Federal Government extends its deepest condolences to the family of the late President, the people of Katsina State and all Nigerians, while praying for the peaceful repose of his soul.”

Meanwhile, Tinubu would receive Buhari’s body in Katsina on Tuesday ahead of his final interment in Daura.

Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, who disclosed this on Monday, July 14, during a press briefing in Abuja, said Buhari’s was expected to arrive in Nigeria by 12 noon on Tuesday.

He explained: “President Bola Ahmed Tinubu will personally receive the remains of the former President in Katsina.

“Upon arrival in Katsina, a brief military ceremony will be held at the airport before the body is moved to Daura.

“The Jana’iza (funeral prayer) will take place thereafter, followed by interment at the late President’s residence.”

He stated that Vice President Kashim Shettima was already in London, leading a high-level Federal Government delegation to finalise documentation and logistical arrangements for the repatriation of Buhari’s remains, saying as part of national mourning, Tinubu had directed that condolence registers be opened across all federal ministries, departments and agencies, Nigerian embassies and missions abroad, as well as the Bola Ahmed Tinubu International Conference Centre in Abuja.

Noting that world leaders have continued to send in condolence messages, Idris added: “The condolences coming in from heads of state and governments across the globe are a testament to the global stature and legacy of President Muhammadu Buhari.”

To ensure what he described as a “dignified and well-coordinated programme,” the minister said the President has constituted an inter-ministerial committee, chaired by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), George Akume, to work in collaboration with the Katsina State Government and the Buhari family.

He announced that 25 members of the Federal Executive Council (FEC) had been directed to proceed to Katsina for the burial rites and to remain in Daura for the Third-Day prayers scheduled for Wednesday, July 16.

   As a result of the schedule of events, the special FEC meeting summoned by the President, initially scheduled for Tuesday, has been postponed due to a clash with the state funeral for Buhari on the same day.

According to a statement by the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, said the date, having been declared a public holiday in honour of Buhari, the Office of the Secretary to the Federal Government (SGF) will announce a new date after the funeral proceedings.

   Katsina State Governor, Dikko Radda, who returned to Nigeria on Monday after being with the Buhari family in London, had disclosed that the former President would be buried in his home state on Tuesday.

   He said Buhari’s remains would be flown directly to Katsina Airport before being moved to their final resting place in Daura, about 80 kilometres from the state capital.

    Shettima, at Tinubu’s request, led the Nigerian delegation, including Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila; Borno State Governor, Babagana Zulum; Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Tuggar; and Deputy Chief of Staff to the President, Ibrahim Hassan Hadejia, to London to bring back Buhari’s body.

A statement by his spokesman, Stanley Nkwocha, said: “On behalf of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Vice President Kashim Shettima, upon arrival in London, met with and condoled with the family of the late former President, Muhammadu Buhari, in London.

“The Vice President also visited the late President’s nephew, Malam Mamman Daura, who is recuperating in a London hospital. 

  “The condolence visits were conducted while the vice president awaits the conclusion of procedures and documentation for the repatriation of former President’s body to Nigeria.”

   In a related development, the National Assembly has suspended legislative activities in both chambers until Tuesday, July 22.

Clerk to the National Assembly, Kamoru Ogunlana, in a statement on Monday, explained that the suspension of plenary was to honour Buhari, adding: “In honour of his legacy and service to the nation, I am directed by the President of the Senate and Speaker of the House of Representatives to inform all members of the National Assembly and the general public that all

“All members of the National Assembly are urged to reschedule their engagements to enable full participation in the burial activities of the late President.”

   Already, his hometown has been filled with mourners, friends, family and well-wishers awaiting the arrival of his body, which is expected to be interred in a simple ceremony according to Islamic practice, rather than a state funeral befitting a former President.

  Tributes have been pouring, with his predecessor, Goodluck Jonathan, describing him as someone who “was selfless in his commitment to his duty and served the country with character and a deep sense of patriotism.”

Former military ruler, Gen. Ibrahim Babangida, who toppled Buhari in a 1985 coup, said he was “a man who, even in retirement, remained a moral compass to many, and an example of modesty in public life.”

In a personally signed statement, Babangida expressed deep sorrow over the passing of the former head of state and two-term civilian president, saying the news was received with a heavy heart.

“Our paths crossed in 1962 when we both joined the Nigerian Military Training College in Kaduna.

“From those early days, Muhammadu stood out- quiet yet resolute, principled yet humble, deeply patriotic and fiercely loyal to Nigeria. 

“In the course of our long careers, fate placed both of us in leadership at different times and under very different circumstances.

“But in all, Buhari remained consistent in his belief in integrity, order and the dignity of public office.”

   Babangida described the late president as a man of faith who carried himself with humility and whose character remained unshaken even in the face of criticism or political adversity, noting his death was more than just the loss of a statesman, but the end of an era.

“We may not have agreed on everything, as brothers often don’t, but I never once doubted his sincerity or his patriotism.

“His 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.”

   He noted that even in retirement, Buhari remained a moral compass for many, admired for his modesty and his example in public life.

Tinubu, in an official condolence statement released on Sunday evening, said the country would pay its final respects to the former leader with dignity and honour, starting with the lowering of all national flags to half-mast across the country immediately.

   Indian Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, in a post on X on Monday, wrote: “Deeply saddened by the passing of former President of Nigeria Muhammadu Buhari.

“I fondly recall our meetings and conversations on various occasions. His wisdom, warmth and unwavering commitment to India-Nigeria friendship stood out.

“I join the 1.4 billion people of India in extending our heartfelt condolences to his family, the people and the government of Nigeria.”