Human rights activist and 2023 presidential candidate of the African Action Congress (AAC), Omoyele Sowore, has revealed that former President Muhammadu Buhari died of leukemia, commonly known as blood cancer.
BenriNews reports that Buhari passed away on Sunday, July 13, 2023, following a prolonged battle with an undisclosed illness. His death came two years after completing his tenure as Nigeria's president.
In a post on his Facebook page, Sowore wrote: "Buhari died of (BLOOD CANCER) Leukemia." This revelation comes as the first official disclosure of the specific illness that claimed the former president's life.
Leukemia is a type of cancer that affects blood cells and bone marrow, the soft tissue inside bones where blood cells are made. The disease typically involves the production of abnormal white blood cells, which can impair the body's ability to fight infection.
Buhari, who served as Nigeria's president from 2015 to 2023, had been the subject of health speculations throughout his presidency, with several medical trips abroad during his time in office.
The news of his passing has elicited reactions from prominent Nigerians, including Governor Mohammed Bago of Niger State, who described Buhari as "steadfast in the fight against corruption." Other notable figures such as Ben Murray-Bruce, Femi Fani-Kayode, Reno Omokri, and Shehu Sani have also paid tributes to the late former president.
Governor Dapo Abiodun of Ogun State described Buhari's demise as "shocking and devastating," highlighting the impact of the former president's passing on the nation.
Buhari's administration was marked by his anti-corruption campaign, efforts to diversify the economy, and the fight against insurgency in the northeastern part of Nigeria.
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