Vice President Kashim Shettima, along with Governors Dikko Radda of Katsina State and Babagana Zulum of Borno State, led other mourners to Daura on Wednesday for the Fidau prayer in honour of the late former President Muhammadu Buhari.
Other prominent dignitaries present included former Vice President Atiku Abubakar; Anambra State Governor and 2023 Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi; and former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai.
Also in attendance were former Katsina Governor Aminu Bello Masari; NDLEA Director General, Buba Marwa; the Emir of Daura, HRH Faruk Umar Faruk; former Chief of Army Staff, Yusuf Tukur Buratai; former Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami; former Minister of Communication and Digital Economy, Aliyu Isah Pantami; and Senator Abdul Aziz Yar’adua.
Additional attendees included former Aviation Minister Hadi Sirika, former NIA Director General Ahmad Rufa’i, and Deputy Governor of Katsina State, Faruk Jobe. Religious and traditional leaders were already seated and ready to lead the prayers.
The ceremony included the recitation of the Holy Qur’an, supplications, and charitable acts in memory of the deceased. Imam Yazid led the prayers, which began at approximately 12:34pm.
The congregation prayed for Allah to grant the late president eternal rest in Aljanna Firdausi, to restore peace in the country, and to reduce food prices to levels affordable for the average Nigerian. They also asked for divine guidance for the nation’s leaders.
Buhari, who died in a London hospital on Sunday, was buried in his hometown, Daura, on Tuesday, with President Bola Tinubu in attendance.
In Islam, the Fidau prayer (also known as Fidyah) is performed alongside charitable acts on behalf of the deceased, often on specific days such as the 3rd, 8th, 40th, or 100th day after death, or on any other chosen day. It serves as a way for loved ones to seek Allah’s forgiveness for the deceased and request His mercy and blessings.
Following the prayers, Vice President Shettima reminded the gathering that life is a journey and that everyone will eventually return to their Creator. He emphasised that Buhari’s death is not just a loss to Daura or Katsina State, but to the entire nation and the African continent.
He also noted that they would return the next day at the same time for another round of prayers and that the Governor of Katsina and members of Buhari’s family would be present for future sessions.