Nigerians Mourn Ex-President Shehu Shagari
Nigerians have taken to the micro-blogging site, Twitter, to mourn former President Shehu Shagari, who passed away today.
Concise News had reported earlier that Shagari, who was overthrown by the then senior military officer Muhammadu Buhari in 1983, died at the age of 93.
His grandson, Bello Shagari, announced his death on the micro-blogging site, Twitter, on Friday evening.
According to Bello, the former President died after a brief illness at the National Hospital in Abuja, Nigeria’s capital.
“I regret announcing the death of my grandfather, H.E Alhaji Shehu Shagari, who died right now after brief illness at the National hospital, Abuja,” he tweeted.
Shagari defeated Obafemi Awolowo in 1979 to become Nigeria’s President. He was President from 1979 to 1983.
Moments after the news broke, Nigerians took to Twitter to pay tributes to the late former President.
Concise News captured some of the reactions below…
Shehu Shagari, first civilian executive president of Nigeria is dead.
He was a decent man.
History will be kind to Shagari and Ekwueme – because the men that replaced them were evil and destructive.
— Onye Nkuzi (@cchukudebelu) December 28, 2018
President Shehu Shagari;A Teacher,a democrat,a statesman,a nationalist,a survivor,a humble leader,a man of consensus,a peace builder,a Dove in an Eagle,a man who spoke in silence,in patience and in smiles;May Allah… https://t.co/GHRwHIzBeG
— Senator Shehu Sani (@ShehuSani) December 28, 2018
History has been kind to Shehu Shagari.
The men that overthrew his government turned out to be scoundrels, incompetent and made Nigeria worse. https://t.co/FjybL72WAe
— afrispheric (@afrispheric) December 28, 2018
We commiserate with the families of HE Alhaji Shehu Shagari on the loss of their patriarch and our former President. May God grant him eternal rest even as we the citizens learn daily to be the things we loved most about the people who are gone. #RIP pic.twitter.com/o0KxcQLyBY
— SEGA L'éveilleur® (@segalink) December 28, 2018
I met President Shehu Shagari at Dr Alex Ekwueme’s home. He was very soft spoken and humble. Nigeria would have gone far if he had not been overthrown. A great leader. He brought the Igbos back to prominence after the civil war by making one of them VP. May his soul rest in peace
— Ben Murray-Bruce (@benmurraybruce) December 28, 2018
https://twitter.com/TWEETORACLE/status/1078726286183403520
May the soul of President Shehu Shagari rest in peace. He was an absolute gentleman and a kind-hearted, humble and compassionate leader. We shall never forget him.
— Femi Fani-Kayode (@realFFK) December 28, 2018
December 31, 1983 – Shehu Shagari's second term was cut short by a military coup. A certain Muhammadu Buhari then became the head of state.
35 years after…
December 28, 2018 – Shagari died at the National Hospital, Abuja.
That certain Muhammadu Buhari is the president. https://t.co/69pEZxTMEC— Tony3! (@Tonyevill3) December 28, 2018
https://twitter.com/iam_doctormayor/status/1078750921402826754
If Shehu Shagari had been like this miserable Muhammadu Buhari, he wouldn't have been trending like this & if Ekwueme had been like Osibanjo, people would've been happy they've gone for good but anyways, Rest In Peace to them. It's a pity
Once more, Rest In Peace to them both. pic.twitter.com/uwAjIGky59
— I Z U (@heisizumichaels) December 28, 2018
Our thoughts and prayers are with the family of former President, Shehu Shagari who passed away today.
May his soul rest in peace.
Amen ????????— FelaDUROTOYE (@feladurotoye) December 28, 2018
He was democratically elected twice.
He was overthrown by a dictator, @MBuhari 35yrs ago, 31st December 1983.
His 2nd term was truncated by an Enemy of democracy and a Tyrant precisely 93days after oath of office.
He died at 93years old.
RIP H.E Alhaji Shehu Shagari. pic.twitter.com/vV9KLfmxPD
— Abundantly Blessed ???????? (@BlessinAbundant) December 28, 2018
https://twitter.com/officialdaddymo/status/1078734554330914816
https://twitter.com/Estar_umoh/status/1078726603289575424
https://twitter.com/exploringnaija/status/1078721527707811841
Innallilahi wainnailahi rajiuun. I just received the sad news of the passing away my Grandfather, Alhaji Shehu Shagari. Please say a prayer for him. pic.twitter.com/4m0AW3vf8o
— Ali (@Aliyushagari_) December 28, 2018
Rest in Jannatul Firdaus, Alh Shehu Shagari Nigeria's first and only second republic President.
Thank You For your service https://t.co/dPxmIM8kq6
— Murtala (@Murtalaibin) December 28, 2018
BREAKING: Shehu Shagari is dead. Aged 93. RIP.
Ex-President Shehu Shagari was toppled in the coup of 1983 which produced Buhari as head of state. That was the beginning of 16 years of Nigeria’s decline in the 80s to 1999 when PDP restored democracy! pic.twitter.com/kksfREMkHf
— Ebube Ngodo (@kcnaija) December 28, 2018
His Excellency, Alhaji Shehu Shagari is dead.
He was the first Executive President of Nigeria from 1979 – 1983.
He passed on to eternity at 93 years after a brief illness at the National Hospital, Abuja.#RIPShehuShagari pic.twitter.com/bE8pOadr6c
— Dot In A Circle – Onye Spare Parts (@The_Jonathanian) December 28, 2018
https://twitter.com/sahalu17/status/1078732863946833920
Rest in peace Alh Shehu Shagari former President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1979 to 1983. pic.twitter.com/LWDmnZL8yf
— Magaji Binyan (@MagajinB) December 28, 2018
https://twitter.com/Zahra_Buhari/status/1078730012487008258
Former Nigerian President, Shehu Shagari dies at 93
He passed away at National Hospital Abuja. May his Soul Rest in Peace" pic.twitter.com/PIbF8LrYaD— Mo’???????? (@mzgbeborun) December 28, 2018
Former Nigerian president, H.E Alhaji Shehu Shagari, has died at age of 93. Alhaji Shagari, who served as first and only President of Nigeria's Second Republic, died, some minutes ago, at the National Hospital Abuja, after a brief illness.
May his soul rest in peace! @segalink— Ifemosu Michael Adewale✊????⚓????????❤ (@ifemosumichael) December 28, 2018
Nigeria have lost another great man.
H.E Alhaji Shehu Shagari, May Allah grant you Al-Jannah Firdous???? pic.twitter.com/CheyjNEM7A— Gboyega Olutade (@G_coachtee) December 28, 2018
I regret announcing the death of my grandfather, H.E Alhaji Shehu Shagari, who died right now after brief illness at the National hospital, Abuja. @Belshagy pic.twitter.com/lJKbDLcMad
— ♣Otunba Of Sokoto♣ (@Hassaan_Shehu) December 28, 2018
We at the Young Progressives Party are saddened by the news of the passing of our former President, Alhaji Shehu Shagari.
While we console his family and the entire nation, we pray that Almighty Allah will grant him eternal rest.
Rest in peace. pic.twitter.com/vs5cWKhiRZ
— Young Progressives Party (@YPPNational) December 28, 2018
https://twitter.com/Haywhy_Jah/status/1078733042607362049
https://twitter.com/SmithVinci/status/1078722743573663749
May your gentle soul Rest in peace Alh #Shehu_Shagari???????? pic.twitter.com/FEQgIFtWi0
— Surajo Chairman???? (@surajobala_) December 28, 2018
Allahu Akbar,
May Allah forgive your shortcomings and grant you Aljannah. Alhaji Shehu Shagari, Former Head of State – Federal Republic of Nigeria. pic.twitter.com/CdP8oqpJx4— Engr. Ibrahim Yahuza, Ph.D. (@Dr_IbnYahuza) December 28, 2018
I regret announcing the death of my grandfather, Former President of Nigeria H.E Alhaji Shehu Shagari, who died right now after brief illness at the National hospital, Abuja".#Insidearewa pic.twitter.com/wimCM22b82
— Bulama Muh'd Bukar (@BMB1_Official) December 28, 2018
Alhaji Shehu Shagari Died In His Own Country While He Could've Been Flown Abroad For "Top Class Treatment" And With His Status As Former President, He Totally Deserves It But Instead He Received His Treatment In Abuja.. A Leader!!!
Well Nigeria Will Get It Right One Day!
— ???? N E U R O N A L L Y ™ (@Neuronally) December 28, 2018