Alhaji Mamman Daura, a close relative and longtime associate of the late President Muhammadu Buhari, has disclosed that Buhari died just hours before his scheduled return to Nigeria.
In an interview with THISDAY, Daura said he was with Buhari on Saturday at the London Clinic where the former leader had been receiving treatment.
According to him, Buhari was in good spirits and confident he would soon be discharged.
“We were together on Saturday talking and laughing and Buhari was in high spirits in the London Clinic where he was admitted. We talked about everything,” Daura said.
He revealed that Buhari had made arrangements to settle the hotel bills of those who travelled to London to support him, as he was set to return to Nigeria later in the week.
“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 added.
Daura said he left Buhari around 9pm on Saturday, expecting to see him again the next day after a routine visit from his doctor. But by midday Sunday, things had changed.
“He was looking forward to his doctor’s visit on Sunday morning. But around midday, he started having breathing challenges and doctors rushed to his side to try and manage it. But unfortunately, around 4.30pm, he gave up the ghost,” he said.
Buhari’s sudden death cut short what appeared to be his final plans to return home, according to his nephew.
