Shettima Visits Aisha Buhari in London Ahead of Buhari’s Repatriation and Burial

Vice President Kashim Shettima on Monday paid a condolence visit to Aisha Buhari, widow of the late President Muhammadu Buhari, and other members of the family in London.

He also visited Buhari’s nephew, Mamman Daura, who is currently receiving treatment at a hospital in the city.

The visits were confirmed in a statement by Stanley Nkwocha, Senior Special Assistant to the Vice President on Media and Communications, titled “VP Shettima Pays Condolence Visit To Buhari’s Family In London.”

According to the statement, the condolence visits were made while Shettima awaited the completion of procedures for the repatriation of Buhari’s body to Nigeria.

Shettima was accompanied by President Tinubu’s Chief of Staff, Femi Gbajabiamila; Borno State Governor, Babagana Zulum; Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yusuf Tuggar; and Deputy Chief of Staff, Ibrahim Hadejia.

President Buhari passed away in a London clinic on Sunday, July 13, at about 4:30 p.m. following a brief illness. President Tinubu, in announcing the death, directed Shettima and Gbajabiamila to proceed to London to coordinate the return of the former president’s remains.

Buhari, who served as Nigeria’s military leader from 1984 to 1985 and as a democratically elected president from 2015 to 2023, will be buried on Tuesday in his hometown, Daura, Katsina State, in accordance with Islamic rites.

President Tinubu also declared a seven-day national mourning period and ordered all flags to fly at half-mast in honor of the late leader.