Africa
Coalition: Atiku, El-Rufai Join Others to Bid Buhari Farewell (VIDEO)

A wave of political leaders including former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, ex-Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai, and members of the ADC coalition stormed Daura, Katsina State, on Tuesday to pay final respects to the late Nigerian President, General Muhammadu Buhari.
Buhari’s death earlier this week drew tributes from across Nigeria’s political spectrum.
His burial in Daura, his hometown, brought together allies, critics, and political rivals in a rare moment of unity.
El-Rufai was seen alongside other dignitaries at the Daura Central Mosque, where Islamic funeral rites were held before Buhari’s burial in his family compound.
Security presence was heavy as thousands gathered to mourn.
Members of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) coalition also joined the solemn procession.
They paid condolences to the Buhari family and participated in the Janazah prayer, which was led by Islamic clerics.
One of the most touching moments came when Atiku Abubakar delivered a deeply emotional tribute.
In a message that resonated nationwide, Atiku acknowledged the complexities of Buhari’s legacy while rising above past political rivalries:
“Today, our dear nation folds its flag and bows its head in solemn grief as we bid farewell to one of Nigeria’s towering sons President Muhammadu Buhari.
His passing casts a long shadow across the land, prompting deep reflections on legacy, sacrifice, and the fleeting nature of power.
It is a profound honour to stand here in Daura, beside his family, his kinsmen, and the Nigerian people, as we commit him to Mother Earth.
In this sacred moment, we remember not just a man, but a life lived in service complex, resolute, and deeply etched into our nation’s history.
President Buhari and I often stood on opposite banks of the political divide. Yet, as death humbles all, it reminds us that what ultimately endures is not rivalrybut shared humanity. In his own way, he bore the burden of leadership with a determined spirit.
He served Nigeria with a sense of mission anchored in personal conviction and an unrelenting will.
Today, I join the Buhari family, the good people of Katsina State, and indeed all Nigerians in mourning this irreparable loss.
May the Almighty, in His infinite mercy, forgive his shortcomings, accept his return, and grant him eternal rest in Aljannah Firdaus.
Let this moment serve as a reminder to all leaders and citizens alike that the true measure of a life is not found in the length of our days, but in the depth of our service and the footprints we leave on the sands of time.”
Though once fierce political opponents, Atiku and El-Rufai joined thousands in putting politics aside to honour Buhari’s legacy.
General Muhammadu Buhari, who ruled Nigeria as a military head of state from 1983 to 1985 and later as a two-term civilian president from 2015 to 2023, died at the age of 82.
A formal national tribute is expected to take place later this week in Abuja, where President Bola Tinubu will lead the official state ceremony.
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