“HOSPITAL ROOMMATES: ABDULSALAMI ABUBAKAR REVEALS FINAL MOMENTS WITH LATE PRESIDENT BUHARI”
GREATRIBUNETVNEWS–Former Nigerian military head of state, Abdulsalami Abubakar, has shared emotional details about his time with the late President Muhammadu Buhari in a London hospital before his passing. Abubakar revealed that both men were admitted to the same hospital, but he had been discharged when Buhari died on Sunday, July 13, 2025, at the age of 82.
A Shared Experience
Abubakar recounted that upon hearing the news of Buhari’s passing, he quickly visited the hospital to console with the family and assist with arrangements to transport the body back to Nigeria. He described Buhari’s death as a “big blow” to the nation and praised President Bola Tinubu’s decision to send Vice President Kashim Shettima to London to oversee the return of Buhari’s remains
Tribute to a Leader
Abubakar spoke highly of Buhari, describing him as a “gentleman who is very quiet but exceptionally honest.” He reflected on their long-standing relationship, which began in 1962 when they joined the military. Abubakar praised Buhari’s commitment to fighting corruption, although he noted that some of Buhari’s officers fell short of expectations
Burial Arrangements
Buhari’s burial is scheduled for Tuesday, July 15, in Daura, Katsina State. His remains are expected to arrive in Katsina by noon on Tuesday, with the funeral ceremony set to take place at 2 pm
Speaking in an interview with Channels Television, Abdulsalami said he had just been discharged when he received the news of Buhari’s demise.
“Unfortunately, we were in the same hospital together. But I have been discharged,” he said.
“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.”
Reflecting on their decades-long relationship, Abdulsalami said his bond with Buhari dated back to 1962 when they both joined the Nigerian military.
“He was my senior; and during the unfortunate civil war, we were fighting in the same sector with him,” Abdulsalami said.
He described the late president as “a gentleman who was very quiet and exceptionally honest”.
“You can trust Buhari with anything on this earth and he will not betray you,” he added.
On Buhari’s record in office, Abdulsalami commended his anti-corruption stance but acknowledged that some officials in his administration fell short of expectations.
“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 said.
Abdulsalami said Buhari’s death is a “big blow” to Nigeria and the sub-region.
He said President Bola Tinubu’s decision to send his vice, Kashim Shettima, and Femi Gbajabiamila, his chief of staff, to the UK to oversee the return of Buhari’s remains “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 added.
SOURCE==TheCable==EXCEPT THE HEADLINE AND INTRO
