Former President Muhammadu Buhari is dead.
His former spokesperson, Mallam Garba Shehu, confirmed the development on Sunday afternoon.
According to him, Buhari died on Sunday at a hospital in the United Kingdom.
Shehu’s statement read, “The family of the former president has announced the passing on of the former president, Muhammadu Buhari, GCFR, this afternoon in a clinic in London.
“May Allah accept him in Aljannatul Firdaus.”
The 82-year-old politician served as military head of state between January 1984 and August 1985.
Buhari was appointed Executive Chairman of the Petroleum Trust Fund in 1994 by the Sani Abacha regime, overseeing major infrastructure interventions across the country.
He contested the presidency three times unsuccessfully, in 2003, 2007, and 2011, before clinching victory in 2015 under the platform of the All Progressives Congress, defeating then-incumbent President Goodluck Jonathan.
He was re-elected in 2019 and completed his second term in 2023.
Buhari’s 2015 inauguration marked a turning point in Nigeria’s democratic history, as it was the first time an opposition candidate unseated a sitting president through the ballot.
Throughout his service, he was decorated with several honours including the Grand Commander of the Federal Republic, Commander of the Federal Republic, and military medals such as the Defence Service Medal, National Service Medal,and the Forces Service Star.
He also held the Global Seal of Integrity and the Congo Medal.
Further details regarding funeral arrangements are yet to be announced as of press time.