Vice President, Kashim Shettima, has conveyed President Bola Tinubu’s deep appreciation to Governor Dikko Radda and the people of Katsina State for the warm hospitality extended to the Federal Government delegation during their visit to mourn the late former President Muhammadu Buhari.
Speaking in Katsina on behalf of the President, Shettima described Buhari’s passing as a personal loss to Tinubu, referring to the late leader as a “friend, brother, and political soulmate.”
Naijaonpoint reports that Shettima said, “We have been together with the governor right from London to Nigeria. He gave a warm reception and all the necessary support.
“Mr Tinubu is personally pained by the loss of his friend, brother and political soulmate, Mr Buhari.”
The Vice President also assured that the Federal Government would continue to uphold the legacy of Buhari and protect the honour of his family and the people of Katsina.
“The administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu will do everything possible to preserve the dignity of the late President’s family and the people of Katsina,” he said.
Shettima further disclosed that he would accompany Buhari’s family to Abuja to attend a Special Valedictory Federal Executive Council (FEC) session in honour of the late president.
The session, he noted, forms part of the national recognition of Buhari’s role in shaping Nigeria’s modern political landscape.
Earlier, Governor Dikko Radda paid glowing tributes to the late president, describing him as a leader who served Nigeria with honesty and selflessness.
“Nobody disputes the fact that he was an honest and just person,” Radda said.
The governor extended gratitude to the Federal Government, particularly President Tinubu and Vice President Shettima, for honouring the memory of the late president.
Radda said, “We, the people of Katsina State, don’t have enough words to thank the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
“We appreciate President Tinubu, who has shown compassion and respect by allowing 25 members of his cabinet, under the leadership of the Vice President, to attend the burial. The declaration of a public holiday in Buhari’s honour also touched the hearts of our people.”
Also speaking, Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, described Buhari as a historic figure who left a lasting imprint on the nation.
He called on Nigerians to continue to pray for the repose of the late leader’s soul, as encouraged by Islamic clerics during the funeral rites.
“Former President Buhari belongs to Daura, to Katsina, to Nigeria, and indeed to the world,” Idris said.
He appreciated the citizens for their show of solidarity and participation in the national mourning, saying, “On behalf of the 25 ministers directed by Mr President, we thank you all for your prayers and support during this moment of national loss.”