National Assembly suspends sessions to honour President Buhari, halting all legislative business until July 22 to mark his legacy of integrity and service
National Assembly suspends sessions to honour the late President Muhammadu Buhari, who passed away in London on Sunday at the age of 82.
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The announcement came via a statement signed by the Clerk to the National Assembly, Kamoru Ogunlana, on Monday.
The Senate President and Speaker of the House of Representatives jointly directed that all plenary sittings and legislative activities be suspended until Tuesday, 22 July.
This decision, according to the statement, was taken as a mark of respect for Buhari’s legacy of integrity, discipline, and dedicated service to Nigeria.
Lawmakers were also urged to adjust their personal schedules to participate in the burial activities of the late president, who is set to be laid to rest in his hometown of Daura, Katsina State.
In the statement, the National Assembly leadership extended condolences to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the Buhari family, the government and people of Katsina State, and all Nigerians mourning the former leader.
Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele issued a separate tribute in which he honoured both Buhari and the late Awujale of Ijebuland, Oba Sikiru Adetona, who also died on 13 July, aged 91.
He described both men as “steadfast champions of national unity and moral leadership.”
According to Bamidele, Buhari’s public life — from his time as Military Head of State (1984–1985) to his two-term presidency from 2015 to 2023 — reflected unwavering commitment to justice, public discipline, and reform.
He further credited Buhari with catalysing Nigeria’s political realignment through the formation of the All Progressives Congress (APC), which ended the dominance of the Peoples Democratic Party in the 2015 elections.
His passing marks the end of an era defined by discipline, national service, and an unwavering commitment to Nigeria’s democratic development.
“His passing marks the end of an era defined by discipline, national service, and an unwavering commitment to Nigeria’s democratic development,” Bamidele noted.
He extended condolences on behalf of the Senate and the South-West caucus to former First Lady Aisha Buhari, the Daura Emirate, Katsina State, and the presidency.
On the death of Oba Sikiru Adetona, Bamidele reflected on the monarch’s 65-year reign from 1960 to 2025, hailing his role as a bridge-builder, inclusive ruler, and stabilising force across Nigeria’s complex cultural terrain.
“Oba Adetona was not only the Awujale of Ijebuland but also a revered statesman whose leadership transcended politics, religion, and ethnicity,” Bamidele said.
He added that the monarch’s wisdom and dignity defined the role of traditional institutions in modern governance.
He further commiserated with the Anikilaya Ruling House, the people of Ijebuland, and the Ogun State government, stating that Oba Adetona’s contributions to Nigeria’s unity and progress will be remembered for generations.
The House of Representatives, through a statement signed by its spokesman Akin Rotimi, echoed similar sentiments.
Lawmakers paid homage to Buhari’s rare distinction as both a former military ruler and a democratically elected president.
“His legacy is cemented by his dedication to national unity, discipline, and the peaceful transition of power,” the statement noted.
Also read: Senator Husain Mourns Buhari in Heartfelt National Tribute
As National Assembly suspends sessions in tribute, the collective silence of Nigeria’s legislative arm stands as a solemn gesture marking the final farewell of a leader whose name will remain etched in the country’s political history.
