Former President Buhari Apologises for Missing Qur’anic Recitation Tribute to Tinubu’s Late Mother

Former President Muhammadu Buhari has tendered an apology for his absence at the grand finale of a Qur’anic recitation competition held in honour of Hajiya Abibatu M. Tinubu, the late mother of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

As reported by the Nigerian Tribune, Buhari was invited as the Special Guest of Honour at the event, which took place in Kano on Saturday, 31st May 2025. However, he was unable to attend due to a pre-scheduled medical appointment abroad that clashed with the event’s timing.

In a letter dated 25th May 2025 and signed on his behalf by Ambassador Lawal Abdullahi Kazaure, Buhari extended his sincere apologies to the organiser, Senator Basheer Lado. He expressed his regrets and explained that his absence was unavoidable due to health-related commitments.

Buhari conveyed his best wishes for the successful hosting of the event and acknowledged its significance in honouring the legacy of Hajiya Abibatu Tinubu. He wrote, through Ambassador Kazaure, that he hoped the event would proceed smoothly and expressed his “heartfelt wishes for a smooth and successful event.”

Furthermore, the letter contained warm messages for President Bola Tinubu and his family. Buhari recognised the emotional and spiritual weight of the occasion, offering prayers for the deceased, asking that “she continues to rest peacefully in Jannatul Firdausi,” regarded as the highest realm of paradise in Islam.

He also made a personal appeal to Senator Lado to pass along his “goodwill and respectful salutations to President Tinubu and his family.”

The Qur’anic recitation competition, organised as a tribute to the late Hajiya Abibatu Tinubu, served as both a religious observance and a celebration of her life and contributions. Although Buhari could not be physically present, his message reflected deep respect and solidarity with the Tinubu family.

Despite his absence, Buhari made it clear that his thoughts were with those at the event, and his written message emphasised his desire to honour the memory of the late matriarch while acknowledging that health obligations had to come first.