Femi Adesina, who once served as presidential spokesperson, stated that former President Muhammadu Buhari might have passed away earlier if he had depended solely on healthcare facilities within Nigeria.

Buhari passed away on Sunday at a medical clinic in London, United Kingdom, after battling a prolonged illness.

He held office as Nigeria’s military ruler between 1983 and 1985, and later served as a civilian president from 2015 to 2023.

During his presidency, Buhari made multiple trips to London to receive medical attention, drawing criticism over the trend of public officials seeking healthcare abroad and the poor condition of local hospitals.

For example, Buhari returned to Nigeria on August 19, 2017, after spending 103 days in London for medical treatment.

While he was away, there were widespread rumors suggesting he had died in the UK.

Throughout his eight years in office, Buhari is estimated to have spent no fewer than 200 days in London for medical reasons.

In an interview aired during Channels Television’s broadcast of Buhari’s burial on Tuesday, Adesina mentioned that Nigeria did not have the necessary expertise to manage Buhari’s health issues.

He explained that Buhari had been receiving medical care in the United Kingdom even before becoming president.

Adesina also pointed out that critics of Buhari’s overseas medical visits should consider that he needed to stay alive to bring about reforms in his country.

He said Buhari regularly sought treatment in London, even before assuming office, and it wasn’t something he started only after becoming president.

Adesina explained that to bring about changes in Nigeria’s healthcare system, one first had to be alive, and Buhari’s choice to seek care abroad was about survival, not showmanship.

He added that if Buhari had insisted on receiving treatment in Nigeria just to make a point, he might not have survived due to the country’s limited medical capacity.

According to Adesina, Buhari needed to remain alive in order to lead Nigeria toward developing the kind of medical expertise necessary to handle such conditions locally.

President of the Dangote Group, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, has revealed his intention to slash the cost of Liquefied Petroleum Gas, also known as cooking gas. He further stated that if current distributors resist the price reduction, he will begin selling directly to consumers.

Industry players, however, have opposed the proposal, accusing Dangote of attempting to dominate the LPG market. They voiced their concerns on Monday, fearing the possibility of monopolistic control.

During a recent inspection of his refinery by both local and international visitors, Dangote pointed out that the current cost of cooking gas is too high and beyond the reach of ordinary Nigerians who rely on firewood.

He mentioned that the refinery is now capable of producing 22,000 tonnes of LPG daily, and efforts are underway to increase output for local distribution, especially as more Nigerians adopt gas for cooking.

Addressing members of the Lagos Business School CGEO Africa at his Lekki refinery, Dangote stated, “The one that we didn’t write, which you must have seen, is LPG. Currently, we do LPG of about 2,000 tonnes per day. You know Nigeria is gradually moving to the usage of LPG. But I believe it is expensive, but right now we’re trying to bring down the price and make it cheaper.”

Dangote cautioned that “if the distributors are not trying to bring it down, we’ll go directly and sell to the consumers, so that people will now transit from firewood or kerosene to LPG for cooking.”

It was earlier reported that Dangote plans to begin nationwide direct distribution of petrol, diesel, and aviation fuel in August, using 4,000 CNG-powered buses.

At present, cooking gas sells for between N1,000 and N1,300 per kilogramme. Dangote aims to reduce this to make it more accessible.

Operators kick

LPG market stakeholders appear displeased with Dangote’s plan to shake up the sector.

In an interview with our correspondent, the former Chairman of the LPG and Natural Gas Downstream Group of the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Godwin Okoduwa, labelled the move monopolistic.

Okoduwa stressed that Dangote must acknowledge the efforts of investors who expanded the LPG market from 70,000 metric tonnes in 2007 to over 1 million metric tonnes by 2022. He emphasized the importance of cooperation.

“I think it’s monopolistic. I think a market should be protected to encourage growth. The LPG industry in Nigeria grew from 70,000 metric tonnes in 2007 to over 1.3 million tonnes in 2022. That was done by collaboration — collaboration with the Federal Government, the NLNG, and offtakers. Everything was done in collaboration. It grew from 70,000 to 250 to 800, and now over a million,” Okoduwa said.

He argued that monopoly cannot drive growth, but collaboration can. “Today, we are just under 5kg or 6kg per capita consumption in terms of LPG. Other countries are doing much more. South Africa is doing double digits, Morocco and Tunisia are doing double digits. We can do much more.

“So, we should, as an industry and as a country, focus on how to grow the LPG industry and not allow someone (to frustrate the players). Yes, he has invested; yes, it’s a capital economy, but he should not be allowed to frustrate the players.

“There are people who have spent money, spent resources, even business and development, and someone just comes in to reap from the work that has been done. I’m sure he wouldn’t have built if there had not been an existing market. The work has been done, he should respect the market and let us grow. It shouldn’t be a zero-sum strategy. It should be collaborative,” he said.

He recommended that despite having a significant advantage, Dangote should pursue collaboration.

“My advice to him is that the pie can be bigger. The Nigerian market is about 1.3 million tonnes. The Nigerian LPG market can be 5 million tonnes. He should work towards collaboration rather than competition, because at the end of the day, everybody benefits,” he added.

When told that Dangote’s main goal is to lower gas prices so everyone can afford it and reduce firewood use, Okoduwa responded, “I have news for him. He should go to the Northeast, where you have the least consumption of LPG. He should go to the Northeast and start developing the LPG infrastructure there. I think we will tell him thank you for that.”

In a similar vein, the Executive Secretary/Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Association of Liquefied Petroleum Gas Marketers, Bassey Essien, expressed doubt about Dangote’s ability to sell gas directly to consumers or significantly reduce prices.

“I am saying that it’s unrealistic. What is the position with PMS? Has the refinery been able to sell petrol directly to you and me into our cars at a very cheap rate?” Essien asked.

President Bola Tinubu and Vice President Kashim Shettima led a distinguished group of Nigerian elites, including ex-presidents, to Daura, Katsina State, on Tuesday to honour the late military ruler and two-time civilian President, Muhammadu Buhari, as he was laid to rest.

Tinubu welcomed Buhari’s casket, wrapped in the national flag, at Umaru Musa Yar’Adua International Airport in Katsina shortly after 2 p.m. The coffin had arrived from London that morning aboard the Presidential Aircraft, the same jet Buhari used during his time in office.

The Chief Imam of Daura, Sheikh Salisu Rabiu, performed the Islamic funeral rites, with dignitaries in attendance, including President Umaru Sissoci Embaló of Guinea-Bissau, Niger Republic’s Prime Minister, Ali Zeine, and former Nigerien President, Issoufou Mahamadou.

Former Vice Presidents Yemi Osinbajo and Atiku Abubakar attended the ceremony, alongside legislative leaders such as Senate President Godswill Akpabio, House Speaker Tajudeen Abbas, Deputy Senate President Barau Jibrin, and Senators Kawu Sumaila, Abdulaziz Yari, Sani Bello, Abu Ibrahim, and Yariman Bakura.

Top military officials present included Chief of Defence Staff General Christopher Musa, Chief of Army Staff Lt. Gen Olufemi Oluyede, Inspector General of Police Kayode Egbetokun, Chief of Naval Staff Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ogalla, retired Chief of Defence Staff Lt. Gen Tukur Buratai, and ex-DSS Director General Yusuf Bichi.

Leading the Katsina delegation was Governor Dikko Radda, who was joined by Deputy Governor Faruq Jobe, State House of Assembly Speaker Nasir Daura, Secretary to the State Government Abdullahi Faskari, and members of the State Executive Council.

Representing the federal government were Senior Special Assistant to the President on Political and Other Matters Ibrahim Masari, Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare Dr. Isiaq Salako, and Housing and Urban Development Minister Ahmed Dangiwa.

Other top officials present included Information and National Orientation Minister Mohammed Idris, Budget and Economic Planning Minister Atiku Bagudu, Minister of State for Defence Bello Matawalle, Agriculture Minister Abubakar Kyari, former Communications Minister Dr. Isa Pantami, and ex-Attorney General Abubakar Malami.

Also present were the Chairman of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum and Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, as well as governors from Bauchi, Yobe, Kano, Kaduna, Nasarawa, Gombe, Jigawa, Kebbi, Zamfara, Sokoto, and Lagos States.

Governors from Ogun, Edo, Imo, and Cross River States—Dapo Abiodun, Monday Okpebholo, Hope Uzodimma, and Bassey Otu—were in attendance as well.

Former governors Ibrahim Shema (Katsina), Ali Modu Sheriff (Borno), Nasir El-Rufai (Kaduna), Aminu Tambuwal (Sokoto), and Yahaya Bello (Kogi) were among the dignitaries at the event.

Prominent business figures like Aliko Dangote, Sayyu Dantata, and Dahiru Mangal were present. Traditional rulers including the Emir of Katsina Abdulmumini Usman, Emir of Daura Umar Faruq, and Emir of Kano Aminu Ado Bayero also attended.

Also in the crowd were Senator Abubakar Kyari, Dr. Isa Ali Pantami, Abubakar Malami, and Seyi Tinubu, the President’s son.

According to the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency, the influx of high-profile guests to Daura led to over 130 aircraft movements at Katsina airport between Monday and Tuesday.

President Tinubu touched down in Katsina at 1:42 p.m., reviewed a guard of honour, and shortly after, the aircraft carrying Buhari’s remains arrived at 1:51 p.m.

Buhari died on Sunday, July 13, 2025, in a London hospital.

Accompanying his body back to Nigeria were Vice President Shettima, Chief of Staff Femi Gbajabiamila, his wife Aisha, and other relatives.

Tinubu, Shettima, President Embaló, Prime Minister Zeine, former President Mahamadou, and former VP Osinbajo received Buhari’s coffin at the foot of the plane.

A joint military team of nine high-ranking officers placed the casket on a trolley. The officers included Major-Generals Mohammed Usman, Oluwafemi Williams, Shuaibu Nuhu; Rear Admirals Suleiman Dahun, Jonathan Ajodo, Samuel Ngatuwa; and Air Vice Marshals Adeniyi Herbert Amesinlola, Idi Sanni, and Obinna Obiabaka. Major General Mike Alechenu coordinated the unit.

As a hymn, “God Be With You Till We Meet Again,” played, the officers slowly wheeled the casket past a military honour guard composed of six officers and 96 troops from the armed forces.

Tinubu and other top dignitaries followed behind in a slow, solemn procession. The casket was then placed in a military hearse for the trip to Daura for prayers and burial.

At the PMB Helicopter Ground in Daura, thousands gathered in a highly emotional moment to say their goodbyes to the former president.

Prayers were offered to Almighty Allah for his forgiveness and eternal rest in Aljannatul Firdaus, while also asking for strength for his family, the people of Daura, and Nigerians grieving this national loss.

The state burial was marked by full military honours, including a 21-gun salute.

Following the Janazah prayer, Buhari was interred at his Daura home as large numbers gathered to honour him.

His last journey began Tuesday afternoon when his body landed in Katsina from London.

President Tinubu, Vice President Shettima, President Embalo, Prime Minister Zeine, former President Mahamadou, and former VP Osinbajo, along with state governors and business leaders, escorted the late President on the drive to Daura.

The interment was witnessed at 5:50 p.m. by Tinubu and Buhari’s family members.

Tributes have been pouring in, particularly from female members of Buhari’s former cabinet. One of them, Dr. Rabi’atu Aliyu, ex-Minister of State for the Federal Capital Territory, described Buhari as “a man who was honest, resilient, enduring and tolerant.”

In her tribute, she wrote, “I was privileged to serve under the late President Muhammadu Buhari. He was like a father to me. Our relationship dates back to before my appointment — I was a friend to his first daughter, and through that, I became a part of his family. He is the father of Noor.”

“It takes a special kind of leader — even as a former military man — to be so detribalised, astute, simple, and honest in a way I have never seen before. President Buhari was known for appointing people based on merit, not ethnicity or personal ties. His household was a reflection of Nigeria: you would find Igbo, Yoruba, and others. I am from the Kakanda tribe in Lokoja, Kogi State, and yet, I feel this loss deeply, as if I just lost my own father.”

“That says a lot about the kind of man he was: honest, resilient, enduring and tolerant. May God grant us all the strength to bear this great loss.”

Sadiya Farouq, former Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Disaster Management, said she mourned a father.

Farouq wrote, “His passing is a great loss, a huge vacuum has been left. We have truly lost a father, a leader, a patriot, and a nationalist. The people of this country are deeply mourning this profound loss as I speak, but Allah loves him more. We pray to Almighty Allah to accept him into Jannatul Firdausi.”

“Baba was a father, a leader, and a mentor, someone who gave everyone the opportunity to realise their dreams and aspirations without expecting favours or guarantees. He was loved and respected by all. He took pride in his team and upheld discipline and patriotism. I am very proud to have been part of his administration. He was a father, a mentor, and a true leader.”

“Nigerians should emulate his legacy. As I mentioned, he was a good man, a patriot, a humble and disciplined individual, and a deeply patriotic Nigerian. The people of this country should continue to pray for him. We have lost a pillar, especially for the poor and vulnerable citizens of this nation, whom he always held close to his heart.”

Pauline Tallen, who served as Minister of Women Affairs, remembered Buhari as someone who valued humility and understood life’s fleeting nature.

Tallen said, “I feel heavy. I feel I have lost a father, a leader, and a mentor. He was my leader, my President, and I looked up to him as a father figure. So, to me, he was not just a leader or a president — he was like a father. He embodied patience, humility, selflessness, and simplicity. He was not materialistic; he understood the vanity of life. He came into this world empty-handed and will return the same way.”

“Look at his life — he was once a military head of state, a minister of petroleum, and then served as President for eight years, yet he remained humble and content. You can see humility reflected in everything around him, including his home. I pray other leaders will learn from his virtues.”

Rotimi Amaechi, former Minister of Transportation, said Buhari’s death hit him personally.

Amaechi said, “It’s a personal loss, not only because I am a title holder in Daura, but because I served in government, in Nigeria.”

“And I watched him make contributions to democracy. It’s a very personal loss. He was a very principled man, disciplined, and selfless.”

Dr. Aliyu Audu, a former Senior Special Assistant to President Tinubu on Public Affairs, described Buhari as a symbol of integrity.

Reflecting on Buhari’s presidency, Audu said, “I’m here to commiserate with the family. Buhari was a man of integrity. He lived a very modest life, and as you can see, we are gathered here in his humble home. He truly did his best for Nigeria.”

“Buhari was a bright star of Nigeria who served the country with deep commitment…I am here to honour his legacy and to express heartfelt condolences to his family,” he said.

A Presidential Committee will visit Buhari’s family later on Tuesday as part of the weeklong tribute activities.

Credit: The Punch