By Precious Alechi Iyeuwa
Former Minister of Transportation and two-term Governor of Rivers State, His Excellency Rt. Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, CON, was among the dignitaries who paid their last respects to the late former President Muhammadu Buhari during his funeral ceremony held on Tuesday, July 15, 2025, in Daura, Katsina State.
Amaechi appeared in full Dan Amanar Daura regalia—the traditional title conferred on him by the Daura Emirate in 2022—as a symbolic tribute to Buhari, under whom he served as Minister of Transportation for two term. Dan Amanar Daura translates to “Trusted Son of Daura,” a title reflecting the high regard the Emirate held for him.
A powerful delegation of Nigeria’s political elite, former government officials, and dignitaries from across the country gathered in Daura for the final funeral rites of President Buhari, who passed away in London on Sunday, July 13, 2025.
The quiet northern town transformed into the epicenter of national mourning, as thousands of sympathizers, loyalists, and mourners poured in to honor the late statesman. Daura wore a cloak of solemnity, with its streets bustling with activity yet heavy with grief.
In attendance were President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and First Lady Senator Remi Tinubu; Vice President Kashim Shettima; President Umaro Sissoco Embaló of Guinea-Bissau; Prime Minister Ali Lamine Zeine of Niger Republic; and former President of Niger Republic, Issoufou Mahamadou.
Also present were former Vice Presidents Atiku Abubakar and Yemi Osinbajo; and former Governors Aminu Tambuwal (Sokoto), Aminu Masari (Katsina), Yahaya Bello (Kogi), Kayode Fayemi (Ekiti), and Aliyu Wamakko (Sokoto).
Other notable figures included Senator Ahmad Lawan, former Senate President; Dr. Isa Ali Pantami, former Minister of Communications and Digital Economy; Dame Pauline Tallen, former Minister of Women Affairs; Senator Ali Modu Sheriff, former Borno State Governor and ex-PDP National Chairman; and Abubakar Malami, SAN, former Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, who is also the son-in-law of the late President Buhari.
The area surrounding the Emir’s Palace and Buhari’s residence was placed under tight security, with personnel from the Nigerian Army, Police, Civil Defence Corps, and DSS ensuring order throughout the solemn proceedings.
A lying-in-state ceremony was held at President Buhari’s residence, followed by Salatul Janazah (funeral prayer), led by Sheikh Salisu Rabiu, Chief Imam of the Central Mosque in Daura, in accordance with Islamic rites.
The state funeral was marked by full military honors, including a reveille and a 21-gun salute, as the nation bade farewell to a man who shaped Nigeria’s political discourse for over four decades.
President Muhammadu Buhari, a former military Head of State (1983–1985) and two-term democratically elected President (2015–2023), leaves behind a mixed but impactful legacy—defined by his war against corruption, infrastructural development, and controversial economic reforms.
