VP Shettima Visits Aisha Buhari in London Ahead of Burial

VP Shettima Visits Aisha Buhari in London Ahead of Burial.
Delegation finalises arrangements to return Buhari’s body to Nigeria.
Buhari will be buried Tuesday in Daura, Katsina State.

Vice President Kashim Shettima on Monday paid a condolence visit to the widow of the late former President Muhammadu Buhari, Aisha Buhari, in London, as preparations continue for the repatriation of the former leader’s remains to Nigeria.

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EKO HOT BLOG reports that Shettima, who arrived in the United Kingdom earlier in the day on the directive of President Bola Tinubu, also visited Buhari’s influential nephew, Mamman Daura, who is currently receiving treatment at a London hospital.

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

Nkwocha explained that the Vice President and his delegation are in London to coordinate arrangements and complete the necessary formalities for the return of Buhari’s body to Nigeria for burial.

Vice President Shettima was accompanied by Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila; Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yusuf Tuggar; Borno State Governor, Babagana Zulum; and Deputy Chief of Staff, Ibrahim Hadejia. They were received on arrival by Nigerian officials already stationed in the UK, including Tuggar and Zulum.

The visit is part of the official delegation’s assignment following President Tinubu’s announcement of Buhari’s death on Sunday, July 13. According to the presidency, the former president died at approximately 4:30 PM in a London clinic after a prolonged illness.

In honour of the late leader, President Tinubu ordered national flags to be flown at half-mast for seven days and directed Vice President Shettima and other senior officials to lead the government’s efforts in retrieving Buhari’s remains and supporting the bereaved family.

In line with Islamic rites, the late Muhammadu Buhari is scheduled to be buried on Tuesday in his hometown of Daura, Katsina State.