The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has condemned in strong terms, the conspicuous absence of President Muhammadu Buhari and his Vice, Vice President Yemi Osinbajo at the burial of former President Alhaji Shehu Shagari on Saturday, December 29, 2018.
PDP in a statement released by their National Publicity Secretary, Kola Ologbondiyan said, President Muhammadu Buhari’s absence at the funeral, particularly regarding Alhaji Shehu Shagari status, as the first Executive President of our country, is unpardonable and very wrong precedence in our national protocol. He said:
“This action of President Muhammadu Buhari and his Vice, Professor Yemi Osinbajo has also sent a very wrong signal to members of the international community on how we honour our national values and respect for our patriots.”
The PDP notes that Vice President Osinbajo was absent at President Alhaji Shehu Shagari’s burial and that the Federal government has taken no concrete to give a state honour to this very patriotic Nigerian other than a rather belated directive to fly the flag at half mast for just three days and a dramatic visit by the President to Sokoto.
“Sadly, while the former President Shagari was at the National Hospital Abuja, passing through his last moments, President Muhammadu Buhari was busy campaigning in Uyo, Akwa-Ibom State, boasting of how he sacked the 2nd Republic, arrested and locked up Shagari and others
Such disdain for our respected national figure by President Buhari is completely unpresidential and unpardonable. Once again, we console the family of the former President, the government and people of Sokoto state and indeed all Nigerians for his demise. May his soul Rest In Peace” he said.