Emir of Daura Declares Tinubu Custodian of Buhari’s Legacy—A Final Word on 2027 Power Equation
By G. Fraser. MFR HeadlineNews.News Political Desk | July 20, 2025
In what may go down as the most politically decisive royal statement of this electoral cycle, His Royal Highness Dr. Umar Faruk Umar, the Emir of Daura and lifelong confidant of the late President Muhammadu Buhari, has unequivocally declared President Bola Ahmed Tinubu as the rightful custodian of Buhari’s political legacy.
The Emir’s message, delivered during the post-funeral homage to Buhari, was not just symbolic—it was strategic, calculated, and final. It was a direct signal to Nigerians, especially the political opposition, that the legacy of Buhari is not up for auction, negotiation, or political hijack.
A Legacy Now Guarded by Royal Authority
The Emir of Daura is not just a ceremonial leader. He was a trusted brother to Buhari, their bond going back decades, long before Buhari became Head of State or president. His words carry weight in the northern political establishment and within the APC’s northern power structure.
By declaring that Tinubu will carry Buhari’s legacy forward, the Emir has positioned himself as the moral and political gatekeeper of that legacy. It is a declaration that effectively locks out any attempts by outside interests—especially from the opposition—to rebrand or claim Buhari’s political capital for themselves.
This public endorsement shatters the recent strategic moves by opposition leaders who conspicuously attended Buhari’s burial rites. While their presence was couched in the language of national respect, it was clear to political observers that many came angling for relevance, hoping to align themselves with Buhari’s still-potent northern influence.
That game is now over.
Tinubu: The Surviving Co-Founder and Political Heir
President Bola Tinubu remains the only living national co-founder of the APC alongside Buhari. With Buhari now gone to his creator, the responsibility to preserve and deploy the APC’s legacy, political machinery, and grassroots support rests squarely on Tinubu’s shoulders.
This is not just ceremonial. Buhari’s political brand was rooted in trust, discipline, integrity, and a massive voter base, particularly the nearly 12 million voters who supported him consistently across elections. That base is not only intact—it has now been reaffirmed and remobilized under Tinubu’s leadership by royal fiat.
The Emir’s pronouncement carries the implicit message that the North stands firm with Tinubu in 2027. It nullifies any narrative that APC’s northern support died with Buhari. On the contrary, it confirms that Buhari’s legacy has been inherited—politically and morally—by Tinubu.
Opposition Dreams Derailed
The opposition, still fractured and unable to mount a cohesive national campaign, has been visibly attempting to repurpose Buhari’s image to siphon off some of his credibility and northern appeal. Their leaders’ rushed presence at the funeral rites, strategic photo-ops, and backchannel overtures to Daura were a clear sign of these plans.
However, the Emir’s public stance puts an iron wall around Buhari’s legacy.
It’s now protected. It’s spoken for. It’s off limits.
2027: The Realignment Is Clear
With this royal declaration, the map for 2027 becomes clearer. For the South, Tinubu remains the sitting president—poised to complete his 8-year term. For the North, this declaration gives them a voice in that continuity. It offers a bridge between Buhari’s past leadership and Tinubu’s ongoing presidency—ensuring stability and shared purpose between regions.
Political analyst Abdul Musa of Kaduna Polytechnic noted:
“The Emir’s message wasn’t just about Tinubu—it was about legacy control. It tells the North, ‘We know what Buhari wanted. We know who he trusted. Follow that path.’ And that’s a very powerful narrative heading into 2027.”
Conclusion: Legacy Secured, Distractions Over
In Nigerian politics, symbolism matters. But in this case, substance matters more. The Emir’s words are not abstract; they are a politically loaded message to the entire federation:
- Buhari’s legacy belongs to APC.
- That legacy will be stewarded by Tinubu.
- The 12 million-vote base is not fractured—it is loyal, intact, and spoken for.
Any attempt by the opposition or a coalition to break into this political capital is a misread of the landscape. The gates are closed. The throne has spoken.
Dr. G. Fraser. MFR.
The National Patriots.
Headlinenews.news Special report.
