The legacy of former President Muhammadu Buhari echoed across Gombe State on Tuesday as thousands of mourners gathered to perform Salat al-Gha’ib (funeral prayer in absentia) following his death in London at the age of 83.
From mosques to open grounds, the prayer sessions were observed peacefully, reflecting a widespread show of respect for the late Nigerian leader.
The largest of the gatherings was held outside the Pantami Township Stadium, where clerics and residents offered solemn prayers, asking Allah to forgive Buhari’s shortcomings and grant him eternal rest in Jannatul Firdaus.
The Punch reported that Sheikh Usman Bello, one of the clerics at the prayer venue, described Buhari as a leader who left a lasting legacy in the country.
“We are here to seek Allah’s mercy for our former president. He served this country with dedication. May Allah forgive his sins and grant him the highest level of paradise,” Sheikh Bello said.
Although Buhari passed away far from home, his death was deeply felt by residents in Gombe.
“He may have passed away in London, but we in Gombe feel the pain. He was a father figure to many of us,” said Ibrahim Adamu, a local trader who attended the prayer with his children.
For many young Nigerians, Buhari’s leadership was a source of inspiration. Fatima Yakubu, a student at the Federal University Kashere, said his life encouraged her and others to consider public service.
“He stood for discipline and integrity. Whether you agreed with all his policies or not, his presence on the national stage was powerful. We pray Allah accepts him and comforts his family,” she said.
President Buhari, who led Nigeria as a military ruler from 1983 to 1985 and later as a democratically elected president from 2015 to 2023, was known for his strong anti-corruption stance and conservative style of governance.
