Former Head of State, General Abdulsalami Abubakar (retd.), has disclosed that he was admitted to the same London hospital as former President Muhammadu Buhari before the latter’s death on Sunday, July 13.
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Speaking in an interview with Channels Television on Monday, the 83-year-old statesman said he had only just been discharged when he received the news of Buhari’s passing.
“Unfortunately, we were in the same hospital together. But I have been discharged. So, when I heard the news of his passing away, I quickly went there to condole the family and see what could be done in order to get the corpse ready to be taken home,” he said.
Reflecting on their long-standing relationship, Abdulsalami revealed that their bond dated back to 1962 when they both served in the Nigerian military. “He was my senior, and during the unfortunate civil war, we were fighting in the same sector,” he noted.
Describing Buhari as “a gentleman who was very quiet and exceptionally honest,” Abdulsalami added, “You can trust Buhari with anything on this earth and he will not betray you.”
On Buhari’s leadership, he praised the late President’s consistent efforts in fighting corruption. He pointed to initiatives such as the War Against Indiscipline (WAI) launched during Buhari’s time as military ruler, and his continued anti-corruption campaign after being elected President in 2015.
“When he became a democratic president, he tried his best to fight corruption. Unfortunately, some of the officers who served with him are found wanting. They didn’t do as much as was expected from them,” he remarked.
Abdulsalami described Buhari’s death as a major blow not only to Nigeria but to the entire West African region.
He commended President Bola Tinubu’s swift response in dispatching Vice President Kashim Shettima and Chief of Staff Femi Gbajabiamila to London to oversee the repatriation of Buhari’s remains.
“That shows the magnitude of what has befallen Nigeria. With the passing away of Buhari, politics in Nigeria will certainly change — I hope for the better,” he said.
Abdulsalami served as Nigeria’s military head of state from 1998 to 1999, overseeing the country’s transition to democratic rule after the death of General Sani Abacha. Buhari, who died at the age of 82, served as Nigeria’s military ruler from 1983 to 1985 and later as democratically elected president from 2015 to 2023.
Buhari will be laid to rest on Tuesday, July 15, in his hometown, Daura, Katsina State, according to Islamic rites.
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