The three-day Fidau for the late former President of Nigeria, Muhammadu Buhari, was held last Wednesday at his residence in Daura, Katsina State.

The prayer drew prominent national leaders, Islamic scholars, and dignitaries from across the country, and was led by the Sarkin Malamai of Daura, Mallam Naziru Daura, who offered prayers seeking Allah’s forgiveness for the deceased.

At the event were Vice President Kashim Shettima, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar; former Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi; Borno State Governor, Prof Babagana Zulum; Katsina State Governor, Dikko Radda, and former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai, among others.

The event also attracted former Minister of Foreign Affairs, Babagana Kingibe; Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Ahmed Dangiwa; former Katsina State Governor, Bello Masari; Minister of Information, Mohammed Idris; Minister of Budget and National Planning, Atiku Bagudu; Minister of Health, Prof Ali Pate; Minister of Agriculture, Abubakar Kyari; former Minister of Aviation, Hadi Sirika; former Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, and former Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Muhammed Bello.

Also present were Senator Abdulaziz Yar’Adua, Senator Sani Zangon Daura, former Director General of the National Intelligence Agency, Ahmed Rufai; former Chief of Army Staff, Tukur Buratai, and chairman of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, Brig Gen Buba Marwa (retd).

The late President Buhari’s nephew, Mamman Daura, was also present at the event.

Traditional leaders in attendance included the Emir of Daura, Alhaji Faruk Umar Faruk; the Emir of Potiskum, the Emir of Gumel, along with kingmakers and district heads from both Katsina and Daura Emirates.

Shettima who represented President Bola Tinubu at the event, said, “Death is an inevitable destiny that is hanging on everyone’s neck.”

He shared a behind-the-scenes account of an assignment given to him by the President to visit the late President in a London hospital.

According to him, “When Buhari was in London for medical attention, it was Tinubu who sent me on a very sensitive mission to see him. It was not a public engagement but quiet and critical.”

The Vice President did not, however, detail the specifics of the mission.

While praying to God to grant the late Buhari’s soul eternal rest, he asked the people to consider themselves as travellers with bags and baggage waiting for the train.

“Former President Buhari’s death wasn’t a loss to the family alone, or the people of Daura or Katsina State, it was a national loss,” he said.

Radda, who led the Katsina State Government’s delegation, offered prayers for the late leader.

“For we, the people of the state, it is indeed a great loss. We have lost a father, a guide, who supported us throughout our journey.

“All we have to do today and beyond today, forever, is to continue to pray for his departed soul.

“May Almighty Allah accept all his good deeds, and forgive his wrongdoings.

“May Allah return each one of you to your final destination safely and continue to guide us all to uphold the legacies he left behind,” Radda said.

Radda called on leaders to reflect on Buhari’s death, “so that it may serve as a lesson to fear God in our leadership positions.”

Former Minister of Communications, Prof Isa Pantami, led an additional session of prayers, asking for Allah’s mercy on the soul of President Muhammadu Buhari.

Meanwhile, the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, also on Wednesday, led a National Assembly delegation to Daura for a condolence visit.

Akpabio, speaking during the visit, described the late President as “a patriot, a man of integrity, and a shining light who served Nigeria both as a military leader and democratically elected president.”

He revealed that the delegation faced travel challenges the previous day when their flight could not land due to airport closure, forcing them to circle for over two hours before diverting to Abuja.

“We insisted we must return today to honour a man who gave everything for Nigeria,” Akpabio said.

The Senate President, who served as a minister under Buhari, described his legacy as one defined by discipline, humility and love for the country.

He equally highlighted his connection to Katsina State, recalling the establishment of the Faculty of Law at Federal University, Dutsin-Ma, which he insisted be named after Buhari rather than himself.

Governor Radda thanked the delegation for the visit.

The delegation included the Chief Whip, Senator Tahir Munguno, Senator Ali Ndume, Senator Saliu Mustapha, Senator Benson Agadaga, Senator Munir, Senator Sani Zangon Daura Jr., and Senator Asuquo Ekpenyong.