Daniel Otera
President Bola Tinubu on Thursday presided over a special session of the Federal Executive Council (FEC) in honour of Nigeria’s former President, Muhammadu Buhari, who died on July 13, aged 82.
The commemorative meeting, which began at 5:27 p.m. inside the Council Chamber at the Presidential Villa, drew an expanded assembly of Nigeria’s top political and judicial leadership, as well as family members of the late leader.
Present at the gathering were Senate President Godswill Akpabio, Speaker of the House of Representatives Tajudeen Abbas, Chief Justice of Nigeria Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, and the Chairman of the Nigerian Governors’ Forum and Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq.
Also in attendance were key cabinet ministers including Festus Keyamo (Aviation), Abubakar Atiku Bagudu (Budget and Economic Planning), Muhammad Ali Pate (Health and Social Welfare), Dele Alake (Solid Minerals), Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim (Women Affairs), and David Umahi (Works).
Representing the Buhari family, his son Yusuf led three of his siblings into the hall shortly before the meeting began. He also delivered remarks on behalf of the family.
Yusuf thanked the President and the Federal Government for the honour done to his late father whom he described as a hero.
“This gathering is a reflection of the profound respect and gratitude this government and the nation owe our father,” Yusuf Buhari said. “We appreciate the honour and the dignity with which he is being remembered.”
The special FEC session marked the first of its kind under the Tinubu administration. Originally scheduled for Tuesday, it was moved to Thursday to accommodate official attendance at Buhari’s burial in Daura and the fidau prayers held in his memory.
President Tinubu had earlier directed that national flags be flown at half-mast across the country as part of full state honours for the former president.
Reflecting on Buhari’s legacy, Tinubu said, “President Muhammadu Buhari was a patriot, a soldier, and a statesman. His life was one of duty, honour, and an unyielding commitment to the unity and progress of Nigeria.”
Buhari passed away in a London hospital following a prolonged illness, according to a statement from the Presidency. His remains were flown to Nigeria and received with full military honours in Katsina State before being laid to rest in his hometown of Daura on July 15, in accordance with Islamic rites.
The day’s tributes followed a formal order of proceedings circulated to ministers, with speeches delivered sequentially by leaders of the legislative, judicial, and executive arms of government.
The Federal Executive Council, typically focused on governance and policymaking, used the rare expanded format to reflect on Buhari’s enduring influence on Nigeria’s political landscape and governance ethos.
Beyond political circles, tributes have continued to pour in from citizens, traditional leaders, civil society groups and international allies, many of whom credited Buhari with institutionalising reforms in anti-corruption, social investment, and national security.