1. Former President Muhammadu Buhari Dies at 82
Former President Muhammadu Buhari passed away in London on July 13, 2025, at about 4:30 pm GMT in a clinic, following a prolonged illness. His death was confirmed by his spokesperson Garba Shehu, stating “the family of the former president has announced the passing … in a clinic in London. May Allah accept him in Aljannatul Firdaus.”.
Buhari, aged 82, was a towering presence in Nigerian history, as a military ruler (1983–1985) and later as democratically elected President (2015–2023). His 2015 election marked the first time an opposition candidate ousted a sitting Nigerian president.
President Tinubu ordered that all national flags be flown at half-mast for seven days and immediately summoned an emergency Federal Executive Council meeting set for Tuesday, July 15, 2025, to oversee Buhari’s memorial arrangements. The government also declared a seven-day national mourning period. The National Assembly (both Senate and House) suspended sittings until Tuesday, July 22, 2025, to allow full participation in Buhari’s burial rites, billed to be according to Muslim traditions in Katsina State.
Reactions surged across Nigeria and the globe. Tinubu described Buhari as “a patriot, a soldier, a statesman … to the very core”. International leaders also commemorated him. Notably, India’s PM Modi joined several national and global figures in paying tribute.
Buhari’s tenure included aggressive anti-corruption campaigns, symbolized by his campaign broom, and determined counter-insurgency efforts against Boko Haram. Yet, his presidency was also dogged by economic recession, high unemployment, ongoing insecurity, selective anti-corruption methods, social unrest like the 2020 #EndSARS protests, alleged human rights issues, and extended medical absences abroad.
Personal background: Born December 17, 1942, in Daura, Katsina State, Buhari entered the Nigerian Army in 1961, rising to prominent roles during the Biafran War. After leading a coup in 1983, he ruled until 1985. Post-democracy, he pursued the presidency multiple times and, after losing in 2003, 2007, and 2011, won in 2015 and was re-elected in 2019. He leaves behind his wife Aisha Halilu and reportedly ten children.
2. APC Sweeps Lagos LG Polls
The All Progressives Congress claimed a decisive victory in the July 12, 2025 Local Government elections across Lagos State. APC won all 20 chairmanship seats and 375 out of 376 councillorship positions. The only exception was a single councillorship seat in Ward D of Yaba LCDA, seized by PDP’s Babatunde Dosunmu, a recent defector from APC. Despite over 7.06 million registered voters, turnout was notably low in key areas such as Lagos Island East, Ijegun, and Kosofe.
At Ijegun Primary School, election officials arrived late (around 9:30 a.m.), delaying the start of voting.
Instances of vote-buying were also reported: APC agent Alli Olugbenga mentioned voters demanding cash before casting ballots. At Polling Unit 028 in Kosofe Ward C, just 2 out of 106 registered voters had cast their ballots by mid-morning, and a similar low turnout was seen at Unit 029 (6 of 160). However, LASIEC, chaired by Justice Okikiolu‑Ighile, described the polls as largely peaceful with only minor logistical challenges.
They noted materials reached most remote polling units and commended officials and security personnel for ensuring calm.
APC’s sweep underscores its dominant grassroots presence in Lagos, building on past successes in both House of Assembly and local polls. Lagos Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu praised voters for their orderly conduct and emphasized the importance of credible local administration: “Our local government elections affect our daily lives in very real ways, things like roads, waste collection, markets, and schools…”.
3. Tinubu’s Absence Criticized by ADC
The African Democratic Congress (ADC) publicly criticized President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his unexplained five-day absence after attending the 2025 BRICS Summit in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. ADC demanded a full explanation regarding his whereabouts and lack of communication during this period.
On June 28, 2025, Tinubu embarked on a two-nation tour, visiting St. Lucia in the Caribbean, followed by Brazil to participate in the BRICS Summit held July 6–7. Despite the end of the summit on July 7, the President remained out of public view and did not return to Abuja until early hours of Sunday, July 13, 2025. ADC denounced the silence as unacceptable, stating that “a whole five days is significant in the life of a country”, particularly amid Nigeria’s pressing issues like economic hardship and insecurity.
ADC spokesperson Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi issued a strongly-worded statement: “A whole five days is significant in the life of a country, especially a country like ours battling with several existential challenges…” The party emphasized that Tinubu’s repeated unexplained absences signal “a distinct hallmark of disdain for accountability”.
ADC noted this was not isolated, drawing parallels to previous incidents during Tinubu’s presidency:
A two‑week disappearance during a supposed private visit to France in January 2024.
A nine‑day gap post–World Economic Forum (Netherlands & Saudi Arabia) in 2024.
A six‑day absence after visiting China in September 2024.
ADC asserts this pattern undermines public trust, saying:
“A president that disappears without explanation cannot be trusted to be present to solve the crises that we face”.
The ADC warns that such secrecy harms Nigeria’s global image saying, “Each episode of Mr President’s ‘mysterious disappearances’ has … endanger[ed] Nigeria’s perception in the eyes of the world”.
They called on both Nigerians and the international community to hold Tinubu’s administration to higher standards of transparency and governance.
As of these reports, the Presidency had not issued any official clarification or explanation for Tinubu’s extended absence.
4. Atiku Accuses Tinubu of Unpaid Wage Awards
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar publicly accused President Bola Tinubu of failing to pay ₦140,000 owed to federal workers, this sum represents four months of ₦35,000 monthly wage awards promised after the May 2023 fuel subsidy removal. Atiku, speaking via statements on social media and in press releases, warned that this default underscores “callous indifference and utter disdain for workers’ welfare” and claimed the government was sliding into authoritarianism.
Atiku traced the issue back to Tinubu’s inauguration day, when the fuel subsidy was abruptly removed. He described the act as “hasty and thoughtless”, saying it triggered an “economic avalanche” that saddled Nigerians with inflation, hunger, and despair. Under the subsidy removal plan, federal workers were to receive a monthly ₦35,000 “wage award” pending agreement on a new minimum wage, but only six months were paid, leaving four months unpaid (₦140,000) per worker as of July 2025. Atiku criticized the pace of negotiations, noting it took 10 months to settle on the new minimum wage. “It took the Tinubu administration a staggering 10 months to arrive at a new minimum wage figure… only six months have been paid, and that too after a series of unfulfilled assurances and avoidable delays.”
He emphasized that the federal government remains in debt to workers for four months’ worth of awards, the total ₦140,000 across the outstanding period.
Atiku also spoke out against what he termed crackdowns on labour activism. He highlighted the arrest of labour activist Andrew Uche Emelieze, who organized a peaceful protest demanding payment of these arrears. Atiku called the arrest “an affront to democracy, a slap in the face of every Nigerian worker, and a chilling reminder of the authoritarian drift of the Tinubu administration.” He demanded Emelieze’s immediate and unconditional release.
Atiku suggested that while some state governments handled labour relations responsibly, the federal government stood out for its “callous indifference” flagging a broader concern of “authoritarian drift.” He urged the federal administration to honor its promises and engage labour constructively rather than resorting to repression.
As of the latest reports, the Federal Government has made no official comment or response to these accusations, the outstanding wage payments, or Emelieze’s detention.
5. Labour Party Faction Attacks Abure Over Photo with Wike
On Sunday, July 13, 2025, Julius Abure, the suspended National Chairman of the Labour Party (LP), visited FCT Minister Nyesom Wike at his Abuja residence. A widely circulated photograph captured them together, prompting sharp criticism from the faction led by Senator Nenadi Usman, the caretaker committee recognized by INEC and aligned with Peter Obi’s camp, who condemned the meeting as politically treacherous.
In a strongly-worded statement released by Ken Asogwa, media aide to the Usman-led faction, they accused Abure of: Aligning with “forces hell‑bent on annihilating the Labour Party”,
Fraternizing with “sponsors of oppression, tyranny, and electoral malpractice,” Proving he is “not a willing leader, but a pawn” working against LP’s values. They also said this behavior confirms long-held concerns about Abure’s loyalty, describing him as a “shameless opportunist” who “abandons the party during critical moments” like local elections and gubernatorial campaigns in Anambra, Kogi, and Edo.
This incident comes amid a deepening internal crisis within the LP, with factions clashing over leadership legitimacy. The Usman group has formally suspended Abure, declaring him without authority or mandate in the party, calling for LP to be “rescued, rebuilt, and returned to its rightful owners, the Nigerian people”.
Meanwhile, the Abure camp, through spokesperson Abayomi Arabambi, played down the controversy, calling the visit a simple courtesy between political actors and dismissing Usman’s faction as illegitimate. Arabambi insisted the meeting does not imply any cryptic alliance, stating:
“It is just a normal visit from one opposition figure to another prominent politician… It’s good that people are beginning to talk about Abure again, it means the Labour Party is still vibrant and relevant.”
Reactions & Wider Implications: Peter Obi’s faction expressed concern over the optics of the meeting, especially given the Abure-led ultimatum asking Obi to quit the LP ahead of a possible involvement in the ADC coalition . INEC had previously urged LP factions to reconcile and hold fresh elections, but divisions continue, with both Usman and Abure camps rejecting compromise .
The episode complicates the LP’s public image as a unified opposition ahead of the 2027 elections, sparking speculation about potential alliances or back-room deals that contradict the party’s core mission.
6. Katsina Declares Work‑Free Day for Buhari
On Monday, July 14, 2025, Katsina State Government officially declared the day a work‑free holiday to allow residents to mourn the passing of their native son and former president, Muhammadu Buhari, who died on Sunday, July 13, 2025, in London.
The announcement was made by the Secretary to the State Government, Abdullahi Garba Faskari, late Sunday evening. The purpose: to enable workers and residents to mourn, pray, and pay respects. Governor Dikko Umaru Radda emphasized the state’s collective sorrow and described Buhari as “a great leader, a hero, a true democrat and a patriotic elder statesman whose life was dedicated to the service of Nigeria”. He extended heartfelt sympathies to Buhari’s family and all Katsina residents, invoking prayers for Allah to grant Buhari mercy and rewards in Aljannatul Firdaus.
This move aligns with the federal response: President Tinubu directed an emergency FEC meeting and seven‑day half‑mast flag‑raising. Additionally, the National Assembly suspended all plenary activities until Tuesday, July 22, 2025, urging lawmakers to participate in Buhari’s burial rites in Daura.
The burial is scheduled for Tuesday, July 15, 2025, at 2 pm in Daura, Katsina State, following the arrival of his remains at noon. Governor Radda confirmed that consultations with Buhari’s family were finalized in London to ensure proper protocol.
The Naija Lowdown Writer 