Alhaji Bala Shagari, the eldest son of late ex-President Shehu Shagari, has said that his father didn’t leave any will behind beside the directive that he should be buried in his hometown, Shagari.
He said that the late former president didn’t just want to be buried in Shagari town, he also indicated the specific location where he expected to be interred.
According to Bala, the directive was strictly observed and implemented as his remains were buried at Shagari town, on Saturday.
He said this needed to be clarified as the Sultan of Sokoto had offered that the late ex-president is buried at Hubbare, where Shehu Usman Danfodio was also laid to rest.
Bala also expressed appreciation to President Muhammadu Buhari for the condolence visit he paid to the family in Sokoto.
According to him, his father had no grudge against Buhari or anyone because Shagari told us he had pardoned everyone.
He explained that the late president’s absence at functions was due to his ill-health, saying that was why he stayed in Sokoto and Shagari town before he died.
Earlier, President Buhari condoled with the wives and children of late Shagari at the deceased residence on Sama road in Sokoto. During the visit, Prof. Shehu Galadanci led the prayers for late Shagari.
He also prayed to God to change the mindset of those spreading hate and disunity among citizens as well as those individuals or organisations working against the laudable and pro-human policies and programmes of the Buhari administration.
Buhari was accompanied by Governors Aminu Tambuwal of Sokoto State, Atiku Bagudu of Kebbi, Sen. Aliyu Wamakko and Sokoto State Deputy Governor Alhaji Mannir Dan-Iya, among others.
Buhari’s visit was cheered by crowds chanting; “Nigeria Said Maigaskiya” meaning Nigeria is for a truthful person.
The Federal Government’s delegation led by Secretary to the Federation, Mr Boss Mustspha, had earlier attended the late president’s funeral on Saturday in Shagari town.
The deceased held the traditional title of Turakin Sokoto, was born on Feb. 25, 1925 in Shagari, in Shagari Local Government Area of Sokoto state.
After his early education, he worked as a teacher briefly before he became politician in 1951. In 1954, he was elected to the Federal House of Representatives.
He served seven times as a federal minister and federal commissioner from 1958–1975, before he was elected president in 1979.
(NAN)
