A tide of emotion, on Tuesday, swept across Katsina State as President Bola Tinubu touched down at the Umaru Musa Yar’adua International Airport, leading an avalanche of dignitaries arriving for the burial of former Muhammadu Buhari.
President Tinubu’s arrival marked a significant moment in what has become an extraordinary convergence of political, diplomatic, and national figures in Katsina and Buhari’s hometown of Daura.
The atmosphere in Katsina is tense but reverent, as the nation prepares to lay one of its most prominent sons to rest.
Katsina State Governor Dikko Radda had earlier hinted that the Emir of Daura’s Kangiwa grounds might be used, pending final clearance by security agencies.
Among those already in Katsina is First Lady of Nigeria, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, who arrived earlier in the day and is expected to proceed to Daura alongside other dignitaries.
The international significance of Buhari’s passing was underscored by the arrival of a delegation from the Republic of Niger, led by Prime Minister Ali Lamine Zaine.
Their presence reflects the former president’s influence beyond Nigeria’s borders. Also on ground for the burial of former President Buhari were former Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo, Zamfara State Governor Dauda Lawal, Minister of Information and National Orientation, Muhammad Idris, and Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Senator Abubakar Bagudu.
In Daura itself, the roll call of high-profile attendees continues to grow. Former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar, former Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami (SAN), former Minister of Transport, Rotimi Amaechi and former Borno State Governor Ali Modu Sheriff were among the dignitaries at the residence of the late Nigerian leader.
