In an interview with The Punch correspondent, Nuradeen Mahe, a grandson of the late President Shehu Shagari, spoke on the ex-president’s life, values and legacy.
When Nuradeen Mahe was asked whether he believed former President Muhammadu Buhari’s failure to accord his grandfather, the late President Shehu Shagari, the same honour and state burial he received from President Bola Tinubu was due to political differences, he said it was painful and disappointing.
Nuradeen Mahe recalled that what President Bola Ahmed Tinubu did for the late President Muhammadu Buhari reminded him of how his own grandfather, former President Shehu Shagari, was treated when he died.
He explained that Shagari passed away at the National Hospital around 5 p.m., and that then-President Buhari had been informed of the death and even fixed 1 p.m. for the burial.
Mahe noted that the remains arrived in Sokoto by 10 a.m. the next day, giving Buhari ample time to attend the funeral. However, instead of coming in person, Buhari sent a delegation led by the then Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Mr. Boss Mustapha.
Further talking, he said, “He eventually came the next day, on Sunday. I am telling you, he did not spend 30 minutes from airport arrival to departure.
“He came, met the family without saying, ‘May his soul rest in peace.’ He only whispered ‘Sanunku, Sanunku’ to the widows, and the children.”
Further talking, Mahe claimed that the late Muhammadu Buhari did not show any sense of remorse, or sympathy, and it was devastating for them and everyone present.
