‘We were admitted in same hospital’: Ex-Head of State Abdulsalami recalls final moments with Buhari, reflects on legacy

 

Muhammadu Buhari(right) and Abubarka Abdusalam(left)

Former Head of State, General Abdulsalami Abubakar (rtd), has disclosed that he and former President Muhammadu Buhari were admitted to the same hospital in London shortly before Buhari’s death.

While Abubakar has been discharged, Buhari passed away on Sunday, July 13, 2025.

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.

Former President Buhari died on Sunday in London at about 4.30 pm, following a prolonged illness, Special Adviser to the President, Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, in a statement on Sunday in Abuja.

"President Tinubu has spoken with Mrs Aishat Buhari, the former President’s widow and offered his deep condolences.

“President Tinubu has also ordered Vice President Kashim Shettima to proceed to the United Kingdom to accompany President Muhammadu Buhari’s body back to Nigeria.

“Former President Buhari was twice elected Nigeria’s President in 2015 and 2023.

“He also served as military head of state between January 1984 and August 1985.

“President Tinubu has ordered flags at half-staff as a mark of respect for the departed leader,” Tinubu noted.