Nigeria has lost a towering figure in its political history as former President Muhammadu Buhari passed away at 82 in a London clinic. His remains have returned home, marking the start of a nation’s farewell to a man who shaped its modern era.

According to BBC News, Buhari’s body arrived in Katsina, northern Nigeria, two days after his death, welcomed by President Bola Tinubu and other dignitaries. The somber journey will conclude in Daura, 80 kilometers away, where he will be laid to rest in his family compound.

Among those at the airport to honor him were Guinea-Bissau President Umaro Sissoco Embaló, Niger’s former President Mahamadou Issoufou, and Buhari’s own Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo. Already, mourners have gathered at his home in Daura, a testament to the deep respect he commanded across the country.

A Leader of Dual Legacies in Nigeria

Buhari’s life was one of contrasts, serving as both a military ruler and a democratically elected president, a rare feat shared by only one other Nigerian. His austere style and military background defined his early rule, while his 2015 election marked a historic shift as the first opposition leader to unseat an incumbent.

Tributes have flowed in, with former President Goodluck Jonathan, whom Buhari defeated, praising his “selfless commitment to duty” and “deep sense of patriotism.” Such words ring hollow to some, given the rocky transitions and challenges of his tenure, though they reflect a willingness to honor his intent over outcomes.

Even Gen Ibrahim Babangida, who ousted Buhari in a 1985 coup, called him a “moral compass” and an “example of modesty.” High praise from a former rival, yet it’s worth asking if that compass always pointed true north when Nigeria faced economic strife and security woes under his watch.

National Mourning for a Complex Figure

The government declared Tuesday a public holiday to commemorate Buhari, acknowledging his unique place in the nation’s story. President Tinubu also ordered a seven-day mourning period, with national flags lowered to half-mast since Sunday, signaling the depth of this loss.

Vice-President Kashim Shettima, who accompanied the late leader’s remains back to Nigeria, noted Buhari succumbed after a brief illness, though details remain scarce. This opacity, while perhaps respectful, leaves room for questions about the final chapter of a very public life.

The funeral, originally set for Monday, was delayed for logistical reasons, officials said, pushing the final rites to align with the arrival in Daura. Tinubu himself will attend the funeral prayer, ensuring a state-level farewell for his predecessor.

A Nation Reflects on Buhari’s Impact

Buhari’s two terms from 2015 onward were marked by ambitious promises to tackle corruption and insecurity, yet results often fell short of rhetoric. His supporters saw a man of principle; detractors saw stubbornness in policies that sometimes deepened hardship for ordinary Nigerians.

His military past and later democratic leadership painted a picture of a man caught between eras, striving to modernize while tethered to old-school discipline. That duality made him a hero to some, a frustration to others, as Nigeria grappled with its identity under his gaze.

Now, as mourners fill his Daura compound and dignitaries pay their respects, the focus shifts to what endures of his vision. Was it enough to steer Nigeria forward, or did it merely hold the line against chaos? Hard questions for a grieving nation.

Honoring a Legacy with Honest Eyes

As Nigeria bids farewell to Buhari, the weight of his contributions and shortcomings hangs in the air. His life, spanning military coups to democratic ballots, mirrored the country’s own turbulent path, for better or worse.

President Tinubu’s pledge to honor him with “dignity” is fitting, but let’s not gloss over the messy chapters in a rush to canonize. True respect means seeing the man whole, flaws and all, as a reminder that leadership is no easy task in a fractured land.

Buhari’s burial in Daura closes a long chapter, yet the debates over his legacy will linger far beyond these seven days of mourning. Nigeria owes it to itself to remember him not just with tears, but with a clear-eyed look at where his road led, and where it didn’t.