A Painful Contrast In Presidential Farewells

By Nuruddeen Muhammad Mahe

It deeply pains me to reflect on this.

NEWSDAILYNIGERIA: President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, in his capacity as the sitting President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, has demonstrated commendable honor and statesmanship by personally paying his last respects to his immediate predecessor, former President Muhammadu Buhari. Not only did he attend the funeral in person, he also ensured that a dedicated state committee was constituted to organize a befitting state burial in recognition of Buhari’s service to the nation.

This stands in stark contrast to the treatment accorded to my grandfather, the late President Shehu Usman Aliyu Shagari, Nigeria’s first executive President, who passed away in 2018 during Buhari’s tenure as President.

Despite being physically present in the country at the time, President Buhari did not attend Shagari’s funeral. Nor was any serious effort made to grant him a full state burial befitting of a former head of state who served the country with dignity and devotion. Instead, he sent a government delegation led by then Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha — a capable public servant, yes, but notably a non-Muslim — to represent him at the final rites of a devout Muslim leader. To many, it felt symbolic of the coldness with which the administration regarded my grandfather’s passing.

It remains a painful memory, not only for my family but also for many Nigerians who saw in Shagari a symbol of humility, patriotism, and democratic decency. That his death occurred under the leadership of a man believed by many to have harbored lingering political grievances against him only deepens the wound. Even in death, there was little public show of remorse or reconciliation — no national mourning, no redemptive recognition, just silence where honor was due.

As Nigerians, we must never forget that how we treat our past leaders — even in death — is a reflection of our values and the dignity we accord our national history. Whether we agreed with their policies or not, we owe them basic respect as part of the story of our country.

May Allah, in His infinite mercy, forgive our departed leaders and grant them Jannatul Firdaus. Their legacies — for better or worse — are forever woven into Nigeria’s national fabric.

These are my personal reflections as a grandson of President Shagari, and as a Nigerian who still believes in the power of justice, history, and dignity.

…….Nuruddeen is a grandson of the late President Shehu Usman Shagari