Aminu Shagari, a lawyer, a member of the House of Representatives and son of the late former President, Shehu Shagari, in an interview with Punch open
Aminu Shagari, a lawyer, a member of the House of Representatives and son of the late former President, Shehu Shagari, in an interview with Punch opens up about his late father as well as what President Buhari did when he visited the family.
Here below are excerpts from the interview of Aminu Shagari
On his feelings about the demise of his father who many acknowledge led a life worthy of emulation
I felt sad about his death but as a Muslim, we believe that we are from God and unto him we shall all return. It is universally acknowledged that it is not how long one lives that matters but how well one lives. I am happy that our father led an exemplary life. People from far and near attested to this and it was well captured by the media in such a manner that his exemplary life will be a reference point for future generations. We took solace in the good words from people about him. Many people came to commiserate with us and that has helped to ease the pain and makes us to feel proud that we are from the lineage of such a great person.
On his late father’s thoughts about the military administration of resident, Muhammadu Buhari, truncating his second term rule
He felt very disappointed because the military should ordinarily protect the civilian administration but it turned against the people and overthrew his government. He felt more disappointed because those involved in that coup were the closest to him. His administration promoted most of them to the positions they occupy today. That is the painful part. But at the end of it all, he forgave them all.
On lessons learnt seeing the beneficiary of the coup that ousted his late father, praising him after his death
First, let me say that though our father forgave his offenders, one thing as human beings is that, no matter what, one cannot forget. Till he died, our father did not get the kind of attention expected from the person who overthrew his administration. After all investigations, he didn’t find him culpable. In our own little way, we supported the incumbent President and from the time he became president, I would not say there is any communication between us. I think we should have got more from the person who was close to our father but overthrew his government.
On President Buhari’s condolence visit to the family of the late president
When he came, we expected to hear something from him like some words of comfort. But we didn’t hear such because he didn’t say anything. We gave him the condolence register. He only signed and put the date. Personally, I was very disappointed with that. I expected that at least, as a Muslim, he would write, “May Allah forgive him and may Allah forgive us when our time comes.” That makes me extremely disappointed in him.
On his late father’s frustrations about the country
There was a time he was discussing with me and he said what baffled him with leaders nowadays was their double standards. I asked him what he meant by that and he said they would say one thing and do another thing.
