Former Nigeria President, Olusegun Obasanjo, has expressed sadness over the death of Muhammadu Buhari, saying he played his role as a soldier, administrator and statesman.

UGAMATV reports that Buhari died in London at about 4:30 pm on Sunday following a prolonged illness.

Obasanjo, reacting to his death in an interview on Sunday, said the former president passed at a time when the totality of his experience was needed to help steer the affairs of the country.

He noted that the late president would be sorely missed and prayed that God grant him Aljanah Firdaus.

Obasanjo said, “It is with a heavy heart that I received this afternoon the passing to glory of a colleague, a comrade, co-patriot, General Muhammadu Buhari, who, as a soldier he played his role as soldier; as an administrator, he played his role as an administrator; as a statesman, he played his role as a statesman.

“His demise comes at a time like this that we need the totality of the experience and what I may call statesmanship of all of those who have had opportunity to run the affairs of this country in the past to get us out of the situation we are in.

“He will be sorely missed, and may his soul respect in perfect peace.”

UGAMATV reports that Muhammadu Buhari first became Nigeria’s Head of State as a military ruler from December 31, 1983 to August 27, 1985, after overthrowing the civilian government of Shehu Shagari.

Decades later, he returned as a democratically elected president, serving two terms from 2015 to 2023.