Former military head of state, General Abdulsalami Abubakar, has revealed that he was admitted to the same London hospital as late President Muhammadu Buhari before he died on Sunday.

General Abubakar confirmed that he and Mr Buhari had been receiving treatment at the same facility in the United Kingdom, but Buhari died shortly after he (Abubakar) was discharged.

“Unfortunately, we were in the hospital together, but I have been discharged,” he said.

“When I heard the news of his passing away, I quickly went there to condole with the family and see what can be done in order to get the corpse ready to be taken home.”

The retired general reflected on their decades-long relationship, which he said began in 1962 when both joined the Nigerian military.

“We joined the military; he was my senior. During the unfortunate civil war, we were fighting in the same sector. Gen. Buhari is a gentleman who is very quiet but exceptionally honest. You can trust Buhari with anything on this earth and he will not betray you,” he said.

Abubakar also praised Buhari’s anti-corruption stance, recalling his leadership during the military era when he launched the War Against Indiscipline (WAI).

He noted that even as a democratically elected president, Buhari remained committed to fighting corruption.

“When he became a democratic president, again he tried his best to make sure that he fights corruption. Unfortunately, some of the officers who served with him are found wanting. They didn’t do as much as is expected of them. May he rest in peace,” he added.

Describing Buhari’s death as a “big blow to Nigeria,” Abubakar noted that President Bola Tinubu had dispatched Vice President Kashim Shettima to London to accompany Buhari’s remains back to Nigeria.

“With the passing away of President Buhari, politics in Nigeria will certainly change, I hope for the better,” he said.

The 83-year-old succeeded General Sani Abacha in 1998 and led Nigeria back to democracy in 1999 and remains one of the country’s most respected elder statesmen.

Buhari will be buried on Tuesday in his hometown of Daura, Katsina State, in line with Islamic rites.