From Muawuya Bala Idris, Katsina
Vice President Kashim Shettima has disclosed how President Bola Ahmed Tinubu once sent him on a discreet but critical mission to visit former President Muhammadu Buhari while he was receiving medical treatment in London.
Shettima made the revelation during his emotional tribute at Buhari’s funeral in Daura, Katsina State, on Wednesday. The solemn ceremony drew top political, religious, and traditional figures from across the country.
“When President Buhari was in London for medical attention, it was Tinubu who sent me on a very sensitive mission to see him. It was not a public engagement, it was quiet, but critical,” Shettima said, reflecting on the trust and strategic alliance between Nigeria’s current and former leaders.
Although the Vice President did not disclose the details of the mission, his comment hinted at the behind-the-scenes political maneuvering that often defines Nigeria’s corridors of power. The revelation added historical context to Buhari’s burial, highlighting the continuity between past and present administrations.
In his tribute, Shettima also offered a series of Islamic prayers, asking for divine mercy and forgiveness for the late president.
“May Allah guide us to continue what he stood for,” he repeatedly prayed, as mourners responded in unison.
The Vice President also paid tribute to the Emir of Daura and other royal fathers present at the event. He acknowledged the late President’s family members, including Malam Muhammad Dola and Malam Yusuf Buhari, and praised Buhari’s legacy of integrity and service.
The event brought together a cross-section of Nigeria’s political elite. Among those in attendance were Katsina State Governor, Dr. Dikko Umar Radda; Borno State Governor, Prof. Babagana Umara Zulum; over 25 members of the Federal Executive Council; and a host of former governors, ministers, and senior security officials.
Meanwhile, sympathisers have continued to troop into Daura to condole with the family of the late President. Notable among them are business mogul Alhaji Dahiru Mangal, politician Sani Zango Daura, and several serving ministers.