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By Tracy Moses
In a solemn gesture of respect, the National Assembly has suspended all legislative proceedings for one week to mourn the passing of former President Muhammadu Buhari, GCFR, who died on Sunday, July 13, 2025, at the age of 82 in London, United Kingdom.
The suspension was announced on Monday in a statement issued by the Clerk to the National Assembly, Barrister Kamoru Ogunlana, following directives from the leadership of both the Senate and the House of Representatives. According to the statement, the temporary halt in activities will enable federal lawmakers to partake in the burial ceremonies of the former Nigerian leader.
“In recognition of his contributions to national development and in honor of his enduring legacy, I have been directed by the President of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives to announce the immediate suspension of all legislative functions in the National Assembly until Tuesday, July 22, 2025,” Ogunlana stated.
Parliamentarians were initially scheduled to resume plenary on Tuesday, July 14. However, this has now been postponed by a week, reflecting the gravity of the national loss and the profound impact Buhari had on the Nigerian state.
“All lawmakers are encouraged to adjust their schedules accordingly in order to actively participate in the final rites of the late former President,” the Clerk added.
The National Assembly, in the statement, extended heartfelt sympathies to the bereaved family, the people and government of Katsina State, and all Nigerians. Buhari was hailed as a patriot who will be remembered for his resolute dedication to national unity, anti-corruption efforts, and institutional reforms.
Buhari’s death has prompted a nationwide period of mourning, with tributes pouring in from across party lines. The former President led Nigeria both as a military ruler from 1983 to 1985 and as an elected President from 2015 to 2023.
His demise, lawmakers said, marks “the close of a monumental chapter in Nigeria’s democratic and political journey.