Death Adds Buhari to List of Nigeria’s Deceased Presidents

DDM News

(DDM) – Nigeria’s former President, Muhammadu Buhari, has passed away, marking the end of a significant chapter in the country’s political history.

Buhari, who led Nigeria as both a military and civilian leader, died in London on Sunday, July 13, 2025, after a protracted illness.

Buhari’s death adds his name to the list of prominent Nigerian leaders who have died, bringing the total of deceased former heads of state and presidents to seven.

According to Diaspora Digital Media (DDM), preparations are underway for his state burial in Daura, Katsina State, scheduled for today, Tuesday.

The late president’s body was flown from the United Kingdom aboard a Nigerian Air Force (NAF) aircraft, arriving in Nigeria early this morning for interment in his hometown.

Buhari’s passing is not just the loss of a former leader but also a moment that reopens reflections on Nigeria’s post-independence leadership transitions and the fates of its highest officeholders.

A Brief Look at Other Deceased Nigerian Leaders:

1. Major General Johnson Thomas Umunnakwe Aguiyi-Ironsi (1966)

Aguiyi-Ironsi became Nigeria’s first military Head of State following the January 1966 coup.

However, he was assassinated barely six months later in a retaliatory coup in July 1966, marking the first violent change of leadership in Nigeria’s history.

2. General Murtala Ramat Mohammed (1975–1976)

Murtala Mohammed rose to power after overthrowing General Yakubu Gowon. His tenure, though widely admired for its reformist zeal, was cut short when he was assassinated in Lagos during a failed coup attempt in February 1976.

3. President Shehu Usman Aliyu Shagari (1979–1983)

Nigeria’s first executive president under the Second Republic, Shagari died on December 28, 2018, at the age of 93, following a brief illness.

His administration was overthrown in a military coup that ushered in Buhari’s first leadership era.

4. General Sani Abacha (1993–1998)

Abacha’s reign was one of the most controversial in Nigeria’s history, characterized by widespread repression.

He died suddenly in office on June 8, 1998, officially from a heart attack, though the circumstances surrounding his death remain subject to speculation.

5. Dr. Benjamin Nnamdi Azikiwe (1963–1966)

Nigeria’s first President under the republican constitution, Azikiwe was a nationalist icon.

He passed away on May 11, 1996, at the age of 91, decades after leaving office.

6. President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua (2007–2010)

Yar’Adua was Nigeria’s third elected president of the Fourth Republic.

He died on May 5, 2010, from a long-standing heart condition (pericarditis).

He was buried in Katsina State after a week-long period of national mourning.

7. President Muhammadu Buhari (1983–1985 as military ruler, 2015–2023 as civilian president)

Buhari remains a unique figure in Nigeria’s political narrative, being the only Nigerian to serve both as a military ruler and a democratically elected president.

His tenure as a civilian leader was marked by economic reform efforts, anti-corruption campaigns, and heavy criticism over worsening insecurity and economic stagnation.

His health was a concern for most of his second term, with prolonged medical trips to the UK, the last of which culminated in his death.

National and Global Reactions

Although the presidency has yet to release a comprehensive statement beyond burial arrangements, tributes have started pouring in from political allies, opposition figures, and international diplomats.

Governors across party lines have declared three days of mourning in their respective states.

Religious leaders have called for prayers for the repose of his soul, while civil society organizations have highlighted both the achievements and controversies that defined his tenure.

In Daura, preparations for Buhari’s interment reflect both military protocol and Islamic rites.

Security has been tightened across Katsina State, and crowds have already begun assembling in anticipation of the solemn ceremony.

Historical Significance

With Buhari’s death, Nigeria is witnessing a full-circle moment.

From 1966 till date, every major era of Nigeria’s national leadership has now seen at least one deceased leader.

His passing also reignites debates on leadership health transparency, national memory, and the legacies of power transitions in Africa’s largest democracy.

As Daura receives one of its most prominent sons, Nigeria mourns, reflects, and remembers.

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