- The holiday declaration was contained in a statement on Monday by the Northwest Governors Forum.
- The forum, in the statement, expressed profound grief over the demise of the elder statesman.
To honour the late former President Muhammadu Buhari, the Governors of states in Nigeria’s Northwest region have declared Tuesday a public holiday.
Buhari died on Sunday in a hospital in the United Kingdom.
The holiday declaration was contained in a statement on Monday by the Northwest Governors Forum.
The forum, in the statement, expressed profound grief over the demise of the elder statesman.
The Forum’s Chairman and Governor of Katsina State, Dikko Radda, described Buhari’s passing as a monumental loss to Nigeria.
“The Northwest Governors Forum receives with shock and deep sorrow the news of the passing of our beloved former President, General Muhammadu Buhari, who breathed his last yesterday at a hospital in the United Kingdom,” the statement read.
He described Buhari as a father, leader, and the pride of the Northwest region, stressing that the former president lived a life defined by selfless service, unwavering integrity, and patriotic sacrifice.
The Forum, as a mark of honour, unanimously agreed to declare Tuesday a public holiday across Kaduna, Katsina, Kano, Kebbi, Jigawa, Sokoto, and Zamfara States to allow citizens to pay their respects.
“This gesture reflects the deep reverence we hold for a man who dedicated his entire life to serving Nigeria and humanity,” Radda said.
The statement also disclosed that the remains of the late president will be flown to Katsina, his hometown, by noon on Tuesday, while burial prayers and interment are scheduled for 2:00pm per Islamic rites.
The Forum urged Nigerians from all walks of life to pray for the peaceful repose of Buhari’s soul, urging unity in grief.