Buhari

By Sabiu Abdullahi

Former Minister of Aviation Hadi Sirika has defended the economic record of former President Muhammadu Buhari, dismissing claims that his administration left Nigeria in economic hardship.

Sirika spoke during an interview on Arise Television, where he argued that the country was in a stable economic and social condition under Buhari’s leadership.

He said, “I don’t want to get dragged into that debate, but the truth of the matter is that President Buhari has done extremely very well on the economy.

“And I’m not an economist, but I do know so because I’ve been in the country, I’ve been in the government, I know so.

”And I’ve seen that the country at the time was in good state both economically and the social issues within the country.”

When asked to assess President Bola Tinubu’s administration, Sirika declined to criticise the current government. He said it would be unfair to judge decisions taken by an administration in which he has no role.

He maintained that each government should be assessed according to the circumstances it faces. He also said he would not publicly question policies that he is not responsible for implementing.

According to him, “I do believe that he led the country that is flourishing. Because I am not President Muhammadu Buhari, and neither am I President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, to really comment on the policies that they have made… I don’t think it’s been fair for me to sit down and make a critique of why President Bola Ahmed Tinubu did this or not.”

Sirika also argued that there is no conflict between the policy direction of the Buhari and Tinubu administrations because both governments operate under the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

He said, “But I want to say categorically that the policies by President Muhammadu Buhari are policies of our party and the policies that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is pursuing are policies of our party.

“So as an APC person, I do believe that they are not doing things, just off the top of their head, you know, to inflict injury on the country. No, I don’t think so.”

By Sabiu Abdullahi

Aisha Hanan Buhari, daughter of late former President Muhammadu Buhari, has received recognition as one of Africa’s 100 Most Notable Peace Icons at a summit held in Marrakech, Morocco.

The honour came during the 2026 edition of the 100 Most Notable Africans Leadership and Business Summit. Davdan Peace and Advocacy Foundation organised the award programme to celebrate Africans who have distinguished themselves in peacebuilding, humanitarian activities, leadership and sustainable development.

Aisha, who serves as founder and chief executive officer of the Hanan Buhari Foundation, earned the recognition for her humanitarian efforts, advocacy for social justice and projects aimed at empowering communities.

Speaking after receiving the award, she described the recognition as both an honour and a call to greater responsibility.

“Receiving this honour is both a privilege and a responsibility,” she said.

“It serves as a reminder that meaningful change is possible when compassion, dedication, and service guide our actions.”

She stated that the award also reflected the commitment and contributions of the foundation’s staff, volunteers, partners and supporters.

According to her, leadership should be judged through service to humanity, support for vulnerable people and the pursuit of justice.

Aisha dedicated the award to her late father, whom she said inspired her devotion to public service and humanitarian work.

“I dedicate this recognition to my late father, may Allah be pleased with him, and to every individual who continues to work courageously for positive change, often without recognition or reward,” she said.

She also praised her husband, Muhammad Turad Sha’aban, who co-founded the Hanan Buhari Foundation with her. She said his support and leadership helped the organisation expand its humanitarian activities.

The foundation reaffirmed its commitment to widening programmes that focus on community empowerment, humanitarian intervention and sustainable development in Nigeria and other parts of Africa.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

Former Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, has rejected President Bola Tinubu’s claim that he was solely responsible for the emergence of late former President Muhammadu Buhari in the 2015 presidential election.

Tinubu had repeatedly maintained that Buhari’s earlier failed attempts at the presidency ended only after he persuaded him to contest again and helped build the political coalition that secured victory in 2015. He also stated that Buhari would not have won without his intervention and support.

Amaechi, however, insisted that several key figures contributed to the formation of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the eventual defeat of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the 2015 election.

Speaking in an interview with AriseTV on Friday, Amaechi said he played a leading role in the campaign structure and political mobilisation that produced Buhari as president.

“When we decided to form the APC, while I was a minister, President Tinubu was claiming he made Buhari president, and I couldn’t respond because I was the minister under President Buhari,” Amaechi said in an interview with AriseTV on Friday.

He explained that his position at the time limited his response to public political disagreements.

“That will be suicidal because Buhari could fire you. So I couldn’t have said no then. He wasn’t the president. I couldn’t tell him, ‘You are wrong. You didn’t make President Buhari president’.

”Not only was I the DG of the campaign, but everybody will bear witness that I did all the battle.”

Amaechi further stated that he coordinated nationwide political engagements in his capacity as chairman of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum and as director-general of Buhari’s presidential campaign.

“I led the governors’ forum. I crisscrossed the country fighting here and there,” he said.

He also reflected on the performance of the APC-led administration after it came into power under the “change” slogan in 2015, noting that the results were mixed across different sectors.

“Did we achieve the change? Here and there. In some areas, well, we did. In some areas, we did not,” he said.

By Abdullahi Mukhtar Algasgaini

Former Inspector General of Police (IGP) Mike Okiro has revealed that one of the major mistakes of ex-President Muhammadu Buhari was allowing a powerful group, often called a “cabal,” to control his government.

Okiro, who once chaired the Police Service Commission (PSC), said this made it difficult for even key officials to meet Buhari on critical matters.

Speaking in a Channels TV interview, Okiro recalled an incident where he had to be “smuggled through the backdoor” to see Buhari at the Presidential Villa.

He explained that some aides blocked his access, forcing him to take unconventional means to meet the president.

“I told him, ‘They are blocking me from seeing you, that’s why I came through the backdoor,’ and he was happy with me,” Okiro said.

The ex-police chief’s account highlights the restricted access to Buhari during his tenure, raising concerns about governance under his administration.

By Anas Abbas

Leaders, dignitaries, and heads of state are gathering in Daura, Katsina State, to pay their final respects to Nigeria’s former President Muhammadu Buhari.

Muhammadu Buhari who passed away at the age of 82 in a London hospital on Sunday.A significant number of high-profile guests have arrived in Buhari’s hometown for the solemn Jana’iza ceremony.

Among those in attendance is Nigeria’s First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, accompanied by prominent female dignitaries such as Mrs. Fatimah Abbas, wife of the Speaker of the House of Representatives; Hajia Laila Barau, wife of the Deputy Senate President; Barrister Zarah Ribadu, wife of the National Security Adviser; and Mrs. Abu Ibrahim.

Governors from various states are also present, including Dauda Lawal from Zamfara State and Babajide Sanwo-Olu from Lagos State, who was seen arriving with billionaire industrialist Aliko Dangote.

The Prime Minister of Niger, Ali Lamine Zeine, was welcomed in Katsina by Governor Dikko Umaru Radda and is among a growing number of West African leaders coming to honor the late Nigerian leader.

Yemi Osinbajo, who served as Buhari’s Vice President throughout his two terms, has also made his way to Katsina for the funeral.

Additionally, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar returned from an international business trip to pay tribute to Buhari, as confirmed by publisher Dele Momodu.

In light of the gathering, security measures have been heightened across Katsina as traditional leaders, senior government officials, and foreign delegations arrive from across Africa to participate in the funeral proceedings, which will adhere to Islamic rites.

By Uzair Adam

The burial of Nigeria’s immediate past president, Muhammadu Buhari, will take place on Tuesday, July 15, 2025, in his hometown of Daura, Katsina State.

This was disclosed by Katsina State Governor, Dikko Umaru Radda, during a press briefing on Monday. The Daily Reality reports that Buhari died on Sunday, July 13, 2025, at a hospital in London, United Kingdom.

Governor Radda said consultations were made with Buhari’s family and associates in London before concluding the burial arrangements.“We have concluded that the body will arrive in Katsina by noon and the burial will take place in Daura at about 2pm,” he said.

The governor also expressed deep condolences to the late president’s family, describing him as a father figure whose legacy of integrity and service will remain unmatched.

Security has been tightened in Daura and surrounding areas ahead of the funeral, with dignitaries from across Nigeria expected to attend.

By Uzair Adam

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has expressed sorrow over the passing of former President Muhammadu Buhari, describing him as a courageous leader and a highly disciplined military officer devoted to the nation’s service.

In a statement issued on Monday in Abuja by its National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, the PDP said it received the news of Buhari’s death in a London hospital with deep sadness.

According to the party, Buhari will be remembered for his various roles in public service — including his time as Governor of Borno, Federal Commissioner for Petroleum and Natural Resources, Chairman of the defunct Petroleum Trust Fund, Military Head of State, and later, as a democratically elected President.

The PDP extended its condolences to his widow, Hajia Aisha Buhari; the entire Buhari family; the Federal Government; the Nigerian Army; the people and government of Katsina State; and the Daura Emirate.

The party also prayed for Almighty Allah to forgive his shortcomings and grant him eternal rest.Meanwhile, President Bola Tinubu has ordered flags to be flown at half-staff nationwide as a sign of mourning and respect for the late former president.

By Anwar Usman

Former President of Nigeria, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari, GCFR, has passed away this afternoon in a clinic in London.

This was disclosed in a statement signed by the former President’s spokesperson Malam Garba shehu.

Detail later…

By Abdullahi Mukhtar Algasgaini

Former President Muhammadu Buhari has congratulated President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on his two years in office, calling for continued support for the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) government.

In a statement, Buhari emphasized that leadership is a continuous journey and urged Nigerians to remain patient as reforms take time to yield results.

Buhari warned against allowing necessary policy changes to be derailed by political disputes, stressing the importance of unity in achieving progress.

He also expressed support for the administration’s efforts to tackle poverty and inflation but noted that the responsibility should not rest on the government alone.

“The private sector and all citizens must contribute in any way they can,” he said.

Encouraging optimism, Buhari advised Nigerians to manage their expectations while remaining confident in the country’s future.

He concluded by wishing Tinubu success, saying, “May you keep leading with wisdom and care.”

By Uzair Adam

A delegation of prominent Nigerian political figures, including former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, held a closed-door meeting with former President Muhammadu Buhari at his residence in Kaduna on Friday.

Among those in attendance were former Governors Nasiru El-Rufai of Kaduna State, Aminu Tambuwal of Sokoto State, Gabriel Suswam of Benue State, Jibrilla Bindow of Adamawa State, and Achike Udenwa of Imo State.

While details of the meeting were not disclosed, Atiku told journalists that it was merely a post-Sallah courtesy visit to the former president.

“We came here on a courtesy and Sallah greetings visit to President Muhammadu Buhari,” he said.

When asked about the mix of political affiliations among those present, Atiku replied, “I have the right to be friends with anybody, whether political or non-political. They are all my friends.”

He also addressed speculations about the formation of a new political alliance, noting that although discussions are ongoing among opposition parties, it was not the purpose of their visit.

Atiku had earlier taken to his verified social media pages, describing the visit as a delightful one. “Today, I had the opportunity to pay a post-Sallah visit to Muhammadu Buhari… It was a wonderful time with him. As usual, he cracked me up with his peculiar humour.”

El-Rufai also briefly addressed the media, stating, “We are here to pay a Sallah visit to former President Muhammadu Buhari because I was not around during the Sallah period.”