The northern region was plunged into deep mourning on Sunday following the death of former President Muhammadu Buhari, with prominent regional organisations and political figures describing his passing as the end of a remarkable chapter in Nigeria’s history.

Buhari, who died in a London hospital on Sunday, was eulogised by the Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) as a towering statesman whose public service career spanned nearly six decades and left an enduring legacy on Nigeria’s governance.

In a statement signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Prof. Tukur Muhammad-Baba, the ACF expressed deep sorrow over the former president’s demise, noting that until his death, Buhari was one of only four surviving former Nigerian Heads of State.

“General Buhari led a life full of momentous activities,” the statement read. “He was a recurring decimal in Nigeria’s governance for nearly 60 years—military governor of the former Northeastern State, Federal Commissioner for Petroleum Resources, and Head of State from 1983 to 1985.”

The Forum also noted Buhari’s active role in the Nigerian Civil War and acknowledged that his leadership—both as military ruler and as a democratically elected president from 2015 to 2023—will continue to spark debate and analysis for years to come.

“Though not without controversy, there is no Nigerian alive today who commanded the loyalty of the downtrodden, especially in the North, like President Buhari,” the ACF stated. It extended heartfelt condolences to his family, the people and government of Katsina State, and all Nigerians, praying for his peaceful repose in Aljanna Firdaus.

In a separate tribute, Kaduna State Governor, Senator Uba Sani, described Buhari’s death as a national tragedy and a deeply personal loss to the people of Kaduna.

“President Buhari was a towering figure in our national life — a soldier, statesman, reformer, and a beloved leader of the people,” Sani said. “Though a military general, he embraced the path of democracy and lived with quiet dignity, advocating the rule of law and the supremacy of the people’s will.”

According to him, Kaduna mourns not just a leader, but a father figure and moral compass whose steady voice brought comfort in times of national uncertainty.

The Arewa Youth Consultative Forum (AYCF) also paid glowing tribute, describing Buhari as a symbol of integrity whose passing has created a void in the nation’s moral and political life.

In a statement issued in Kaduna, AYCF President-General, Yerima Shettima, said, “Buhari’s death marks the end of an era in Nigerian politics. He was a rare leader who inspired trust and loyalty among the ordinary people. To honour his legacy, we must continue to strive for national unity and collective progress.”

The North, united in grief, now bids farewell to a man whose life and service shaped generations and defined a significant part of Nigeria’s post-independence journey.

“To his immediate family, we extend our deepest sympathies. The loss of a father, grandfather, and husband is immeasurable, and we stand with you in this time of grief,” the youth body said.

The AYCF called on citizens to draw inspiration from Buhari’s life and steadfast principles. “Let us reflect on the lessons learned from President Buhari’s life and strive for a Nigeria that embodies his vision of integrity, unity, and progress.”