In a significant and emotional development, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has mandated Vice President Kashim Shettima to immediately travel to the United Kingdom following the demise of former Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari. Shettima’s assignment is to personally accompany the late leader’s remains back to Nigeria for proper national rites. This directive from President Tinubu comes shortly after the official announcement confirming the passing of former President Muhammadu Buhari. According to sources close to the family, Buhari died in London on Sunday at approximately 4:30 PM, after battling a protracted illness that had kept him away from the public eye for some time. President Tinubu, who disclosed this national loss to the public, expressed his deep sorrow and extended heartfelt condolences to the family of the deceased. Specifically, Tinubu reached out to Mrs. Aishat Buhari, the widow of the former President, offering words of comfort and national solidarity in this period of grief. The presidency has also issued an official order instructing Vice President Shettima to head to the UK immediately to oversee the dignified and respectful repatriation of Buhari’s body. This move underscores the administration’s commitment to honoring national leaders, both past and present, and ensuring that Buhari’s remains return home with the utmost dignity. Muhammadu Buhari, who passed away at 81, remains a significant figure in Nigeria’s history. He was democratically elected as the nation’s President in 2015 and was re-elected for a second term in 2019. Prior to his civilian leadership, Buhari had a notable military career, serving as Nigeria’s military Head of State from January 1984 until August 1985. In line with national mourning protocols, President Tinubu has declared that Nigerian flags should be flown at half-mast across the country and in all foreign missions as a mark of respect and tribute to the late former President Buhari. This moment marks a reflective period for Nigeria, as the nation comes together to honor the legacy of a leader whose impact spanned both military and democratic governance. The return of Buhari’s body from the United Kingdom will be met with official state protocols and ceremonies befitting his status. For further official statements and updates on the burial arrangements, Nigerians are advised to stay tuned to the official communication channels of the Presidency and the Federal Government.
The family of the late Head of State, General Sani Abacha, has strongly criticized former Military President, General Ibrahim Babangida (rtd), for allegedly misrepresenting historical facts and attempting to tarnish Abacha’s reputation. In a statement issued on Sunday, Mohammed Abacha, speaking on behalf of the family, condemned the claims made in Babangida’s recent book, A Journey in Service. The book alleged that the annulment of the June 12, 1993, presidential election was solely orchestrated by General Sani Abacha. Clarification on June 12 Annulment The Abacha family dismissed this assertion as misleading and historically inaccurate, stating that the responsibility for the controversial annulment rested entirely on General Babangida, who was the Head of State at the time. According to the statement, Abacha, although a senior military officer, did not hold the position of Commander-in-Chief and therefore had no executive authority to make such a decision. “Any attempt to shift this blame onto General Sani Abacha is a deliberate distortion of historical facts. Over the years, there have been continuous efforts to manipulate Nigeria’s history, particularly regarding its democratic evolution,” the statement emphasized. Warning Against Revisionist Narratives The family further urged Nigerians to remain vigilant against revisionist accounts designed to manipulate public perception for political gain. “The memory of our late father and leader, General Sani Abacha, must not be sullied by baseless accusations intended to absolve those who were truly responsible,” the statement read. Abacha’s Role in Protecting Babangida In an unexpected revelation, the Abacha family also highlighted how General Sani Abacha played a crucial role in safeguarding Babangida’s life during a critical moment of political instability. “At a time when General Babangida’s safety was in jeopardy, it was General Abacha who intervened to ensure his protection,” they stated. The family expressed disappointment in Babangida’s book, arguing that it failed to present an accurate and objective historical account. “Rather than upholding honesty, sincerity, and integrity, A Journey in Service regrettably missed an opportunity to document history truthfully,” the statement concluded. Historical Overview of Nigeria’s Political Evolution READ ALSO: Follow the LMSINT MEDIA channel on WhatsApp: Join Our WhatsApp Group Hear: Chat on WhatsApp Join our Telegram Channel
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Abuja – The family of late Head of State, General Sani Abacha, has firmly refuted claims made by his predecessor, General Ibrahim Babangida, regarding the annulment of the historic June 12, 1993, presidential election. According to a statement released by Mohammed Abacha, Babangida’s newly published memoir, A Journey in Service, presents a distorted version of events, falsely attributing responsibility for the annulment to the late General Sani Abacha. Abacha’s Family Counters Babangida’s Narrative Mohammed Abacha, in an official statement on Sunday, criticized the memoir for failing to provide an honest and factual historical account. He emphasized that Babangida, as the ruling Head of State at the time, wielded complete executive control and, therefore, should be held solely accountable for the controversial annulment of the election, which was won by Chief Moshood Abiola of the Social Democratic Party (SDP). “It is important to clarify that General Sani Abacha was neither the Head of State nor the Commander-in-Chief when the June 12 election was annulled. The decision was made solely under General Ibrahim Babangida’s administration. Any attempt to shift the blame to General Abacha is a deliberate manipulation of historical facts,” the statement read. Calls to Resist Historical Distortion The Abacha family further urged Nigerians to reject revisionist accounts aimed at altering the true narrative of the nation’s democratic history. They insisted that General Abacha’s legacy should not be tainted by baseless accusations designed to absolve those truly responsible for the annulment. “For years, various individuals have attempted to rewrite the history of this crucial period in Nigeria’s democracy. However, the facts remain unaltered. We call on Nigerians to remain vigilant against misleading narratives crafted for personal or political reasons,” the statement added. Abacha’s Loyalty and Relationship with Babangida Despite the recent allegations, the Abacha family highlighted the strong camaraderie between their late patriarch and General Babangida. They reminded the public that General Abacha had always been a loyal ally to Babangida and had even played a pivotal role in ensuring Babangida’s safety during periods of political instability. “We find it necessary to state that at a critical moment when General Babangida’s life was at risk, it was General Abacha who stepped in to safeguard him. This underscores the unwavering commitment and loyalty he had for his comrades,” the family stated. Defending General Abacha’s Legacy The family expressed appreciation for the many Nigerians who have stood firm in defending the late leader’s reputation. They emphasized that history should be judged with fairness and objectivity and not manipulated for political convenience. “As we reflect on Nigeria’s past, we recognize General Sani Abacha’s leadership and his role in shaping the nation’s development. Like other past leaders, his contributions remain an integral part of Nigeria’s history. We urge everyone to uphold truth and ensure that history is not distorted,” the statement concluded. Read more about Nigeria’s democratic history READ ALSO: Follow the LMSINT MEDIA channel on WhatsApp: Join Our WhatsApp Group Hear: Chat on WhatsApp Join our Telegram Channel
