Former Nigerian Military Head of State, General Abdulsalami Abubakar, has disclosed that he was hospitalised in the same medical facility in London, United Kingdom, where former President Muhammadu Buhari spent his final days before his death.
While speaking to Channels Television, Abubakar confirmed that he was discharged shortly before Buhari passed away.
“Unfortunately, we were in the hospital together, but I have been discharged. When I heard the news of his passing away, I quickly went there to condole with the family and to see what could be done to prepare the body for repatriation,” he recounted.
The death of former President Muhammadu Buhari, aged 82, was officially announced by his family on Sunday after a prolonged battle with illness.
In response, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu directed Vice President Kashim Shettima to travel to the United Kingdom to facilitate the return of Buhari’s remains to Nigeria for burial, in line with Islamic rites. The burial is scheduled to take place today in Buhari’s hometown of Daura, Katsina State.
General Abubakar served as Nigeria’s military ruler between 1998 and 1999 following the sudden death of General Sani Abacha.
Reflecting on his personal connection with the late Buhari, Abubakar reminisced about their shared military history, a relationship that began in 1962 when both men enlisted in the Nigerian Army.
According to Abubakar, Buhari was his senior both in rank and in service years, and during the Nigerian Civil War, they fought within the same sector.
“My relationship with Buhari goes as far back as 1962 when we joined the military. He was my senior, and during the unfortunate civil war, we were fighting in the same sector,” Abubakar said.
“General Buhari was a quiet and reserved man, but he was exceptionally honest. You could entrust him with anything, and he would never betray you.”
General Abubakar went further to commend Buhari’s unyielding stance against corruption, particularly during his military rule in the 1980s.
He cited Buhari’s War Against Indiscipline (WAI) programme as a landmark initiative aimed at instilling discipline, integrity, and accountability in both public and private life.
“As a military leader, he initiated the War Against Indiscipline, which was a sincere effort to curb corruption and instil a culture of orderliness,” Abubakar noted.
He also acknowledged Buhari’s similar commitment during his democratic presidency. Although Abubakar admitted that not all of Buhari’s associates lived up to the high standards he set, he emphasised that Buhari personally remained steadfast in his fight against corruption.
“When he became a democratic president, he tried again to ensure that corruption was tackled head-on. Unfortunately, some of the officers and aides who served with him did not meet the expectations set for them. Nevertheless, he did his best. May he rest in peace.”
General Abubakar expressed hope that the nation’s political landscape would evolve positively in the wake of Buhari’s passing.
Buhari’s death has continued to attract national mourning, with tributes pouring in from across the country and the international community, commemorating his leadership, integrity, and contributions to Nigeria both as a military head of state and a two-term democratic president.