Buhari was in high spirits night before his death, says Mamman Daura

Mamman Daura, nephew of former President Muhammadu Buhari, says the late Nigerian leader was in good spirits hours before his death.

Buhari passed away on Sunday at the age of 82 in a clinic in London, the United Kingdom.

Daura told ThisDay that he spent Saturday evening with Buhari at the clinic, where he had been receiving medical care.

He said Buhari was cheerful and talkative and even made plans to return to Nigeria later in the week after his discharge.

“We were together on Saturday, talking and laughing, and Buhari was in high spirits in the London Clinic where he was admitted,” Daura said.

“We talked about everything. He even had the plan to depart for Nigeria upon his discharge this week and made sure that arrangements were made to sort out the hotel bills of everybody who was in London on his behalf before departing.”

Daura said he left Buhari around 9 p.m. on Saturday, intending to see him again on Sunday afternoon.

But by midday on Sunday, he said Buhari’s condition took a sharp turn for the worse.

“I left him around 9pm on Saturday in high spirits and promised to see him on Sunday afternoon. He was looking forward to his doctor’s visit on Sunday morning,” Daura said.

“But around midday, he started having breathing challenges, and doctors rushed to his side to try and manage it. But unfortunately, around 4.30 pm, he gave up the ghost.”

The remains of the late former president departed the European country for Nigeria on Tuesday.

President Bola Tinubu is expected to receive the corpse for burial scheduled later today in Daura, Katsina state.