Abbas Yushau Yusuf

With the death of former Nigeria’s President Muhammadu Buhari on 13th July 2025, and his befitting state burial accorded to him by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on July 15 at his Daura country home, Nigeria now has five living former leaders who left office at their time and are still alive.

They are:

1. General Yakubu Gowon

The longest-serving Nigerian military ruler, he was in power from July 29, 1966, to July 29, 1975. He came to power after a counter-coup that overthrew General Johnson Thomas Umunakwe Aguiyi-Ironsi.

General Yakubu Gowon was overthrown in a bloodless coup led by young officers of the Nigerian Army and was replaced by General Murtala Ramat Muhammad while Gowon was away in Kampala, Uganda, for an OAU summit.

General Gowon has now been out of power for fifty years and is currently 91 years old.

2. General Olusegun Obasanjo

General (or Chief) Olusegun Obasanjo was Nigeria’s military ruler between 1976 and 1979 and returned as Nigeria’s civilian President from May 29, 1999, to May 29, 2007.

He was the first Nigerian to lead the country both as a military and civilian leader. He handed over power in 2007 to the late Umaru Musa Yar’Adua after his controversial third-term bid failed in the National Assembly.

Chief Olusegun Obasanjo is now 88 years old.

3. General Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida

Popularly known as IBB, he was Nigeria’s Military Head of State from August 26, 1985, to August 26, 1993. He voluntarily stepped aside as President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria after the controversial annulment of the June 12, 1993, election won by the late Chief MKO Abiola.

General Ibrahim Babangida currently resides at his hilltop residence in Minna and is 84 years old.

4. General Abdulsalami Abubakar

General Abdulsalami Abubakar was Nigeria’s Military Head of State from June 9, 1998, to May 29, 1999. He oversaw Nigeria’s transition from military rule to civilian democracy, which the country currently enjoys.

General Abdulsalami Abubakar is also over 80 years old.

5. Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan

Dr. Goodluck Jonathan was Nigeria’s President from May 6, 2010, to May 29, 2015. He succeeded his boss, the late Umaru Musa Yar’Adua, and was elected President in April 2011. He failed in his bid for re-election and was succeeded by the late President Muhammadu Buhari on May 29, 2015.

Dr. Goodluck Jonathan is currently 68 years old.

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has officially resigned from the People’s Democratic Party (PDP).

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar’s resignation was contained in a letter addressed to the chairman of his ward in the following tone .

Ref.
July 14, 2025
The Chairman
Atilku Abubakar,
PDP, Jada 1 Ward
Jada LGA
Adamawa State
Dear Chairman,
Federal Republic 0f Nigeria
Vice President (1999-2007)
Sincerely,
LETTER OF RESIGNATION OF MEMBERSHIP
I am writing to formally resign my membership from the People’s Democratic Party
(PDP) with immediate effect.
I would like to take this opportunity to express my profound gratitude for the
opportunities I have been given by the Party. Serving two full terms as Vice President
of Nigeria and being a Presidential candidate twice has been one of the most
significant chapters of my life. As a founding father of this esteemed Party, it is
indeed heartbreaking for me to make this decision.
However, I find it necessary to part ways due to the current trajectory the Party has
taken, which I believe diverges from the foundational principles we stood for. it is
with a heavy heart that I resign, recognizing the irreconcilable differences that have
emerged.
Waziri Adamawa
GCON
I wish the Party and its leadership all the best in the future. Thank you once again for
the opportunities and support.
Atiku Abubakar, GCON
Vice President of Nigeria (1999- 2007)
Received
Hancodma AbuLakoy
Office: Plot 120, Adetokunbo Ademola Crescent, Wuse ll, Abuja, Nigeria

The copy of the letter is as follows

Atiku’s letter of resignation

By Abbas Yushau Yusuf

Former President of Nigeria, Muhammadu Buhari, was laid to rest in his hometown of Daura amidst tears and tributes.

The burial was attended by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Vice President Kashim Shettima.

He was lowered into his grave at exactly 5:50 p.m.

The late President Muhammadu Buhari died on July 13 at a London clinic after a brief illness.

The Governor of Katsina State, Dr. Umar Dikko Radda, was visibly emotional, with tears seen flowing down his cheeks.

Former President Buhari was given a state burial by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

Before the final interment, gun salutes were fired by members of the Armed Forces to honor their three-time Commander-in-Chief.

Nigeria’s Chief of Defence Staff and highest-ranking military officer, General Christopher Musa, read the citation of the former president.

The late Buhari served as Nigeria’s Military Head of State from January 1, 1984, to August 26, 1985, before being overthrown in a military palace coup by his then Chief of Army Staff, General Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida.

Upon the return to democratic rule, he contested for the presidency three times in 2003, 2007, and 2011 before winning on his fourth attempt in 2015. He was re-elected in 2019.

President Muhammadu Buhari handed over power to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on May 29, 2023, after completing two terms in office.