Muhammad Mahe, a grandson of late former President Shehu Shagari has revealed that it was former President Muhammadu Buhari who fixed the burial time for Shagari after his death in December 2018.
Mahe made the revelation during an interview on Channels Television from 11:01, where he discussed the events that followed the death of Nigeria’s Second Republic President.
According to Mahe, once the family informed President Buhari about Shagari’s passing, the president promptly took charge of the burial arrangements, setting the time for the funeral to hold the very next day.
“Immediately his family contacted Mr President that Shehu Shagari has passed away, he was the one that fixed 1:00 pm, the next day for the burial arrangement,” Mahe stated.
Shehu Shagari, who served as Nigeria’s President from 1979 until he was overthrown in a military coup in 1983, died at the age of 93 on December 28, 2018. He was buried the following day in his hometown of Shagari, Sokoto State, according to Islamic rites.
The swift coordination of the burial, as revealed by Mahe, reflects the deep respect President Buhari had for his predecessor despite the political differences that once existed between them. It also underscores the level of presidential involvement in honoring a former national leader.
Shagari remains one of the most respected figures in Nigeria’s political history, noted for his humility and integrity in public service. His burial, attended by dignitaries across the country, marked the end of an era in Nigeria’s democratic journey.
Mahe’s revelation adds a new dimension to the narrative, shedding light on the behind-the-scenes respect and national recognition that followed Shagari’s passing.
