A Painful Memory: The Shagari Family's Enduring Disappointment in Buhari's Conduct

The recent comments by Nura Muhammad Mahe, a grandson of Nigeria's first democratically elected Executive President, Shehu Shagari, have reopened old wounds and reignited a somber conversation about respect, leadership, and historical memory in Nigeria. Mahe's assertion that "Buhari showed little respect for my grandfather even in death" is not merely a personal grievance but a powerful indictment of what many perceive as a lingering animosity that transcended political rivalry and extended into the sacred space of mourning. For context, the relationship between General Muhammadu Buhari and President Shehu Shagari was, to put it mildly, fraught. It was Buhari, then a Major General, who on December 31, 1983, led the military coup that overthrew Shagari's democratically elected government, barely three months into his second term. This act fundamentally altered the course of Nigeria's political history and, understandably, left an indelible mark on the Shagari family and their sympathizers. Mahe's specific criticisms are poignant and deeply felt. He highlighted that despite being in Nigeria at the time of Shagari's passing in December 2018, then-President Buhari neither attended the funeral nor arranged a state burial in his honour. Instead, a government delegation, notably led by a non-Muslim, was dispatched to represent him. This, for the Shagari family, was a stark contrast to the expected courtesies and recognition due to a former head of state, especially one who had been cleared of personal corruption charges following his overthrow. The grandson further emphasized the stark difference in treatment compared to how President Tinubu recently honoured another departed leader, attending the funeral and forming a high-level committee for the burial, a gesture he described as a symbol of national unity and dignity. This comparison underscores the family's feeling that Shagari's passing under Buhari's watch was handled with a notable lack of the respect and reverence befitting his status and contributions to the nation. It's a bitter pill for the Shagari family to swallow, knowing that their patriarch's death occurred under the leadership of a man widely believed to have harbored political animosity towards him. The absence of public remorse or a more magnanimous gesture from Buhari, even in death, has left a "painful memory." Beyond the specific events surrounding Shagari's funeral, there's a broader narrative at play. Buhari, in past interviews, had famously stated he did not regret overthrowing Shagari's government, citing corruption and economic mismanagement. While he later attempted to generalize the blame to the "Second Republic" rather than personalize it to Shagari, the underlying sentiment of disapproval remained. This historical backdrop makes the perceived slight at Shagari's death even more profound for his family and supporters. Nura Muhammad Mahe's statement serves as a powerful reminder that historical grievances, especially those tied to significant political events, do not simply fade away. They linger in the collective memory of families and communities, shaping their perception of leadership and justice. While political rivalries are an inherent part of governance, the handling of a former leader's death often serves as a barometer of national unity and respect for institutions. In this instance, for the Shagari family, that barometer fell short, leaving an enduring sense of disappointment and a painful memory of what they consider a lack of regard for a revered elder statesman. click to to see the full story