TheCable

Muhammadu Buhari, presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), is currently in Sokoto state to pay a courtesy visit to former president, Shehu Shagari, whose 90th birthday ceremony he missed due to his United Kingdom trip.

Buhari returned from the UK on Friday since February 19 when he embarked on a trip whose highlight was a speech at the Royal Institute of International Affairs (Chatham House).

While in the UK, Buhari had issued a statement to congratulate Shagari, saying specifically that the nonagenarian still showed him civility and courtesy despite toppling his government.

“Although, I am physically unable to be present as I am abroad on previously-arranged assignments, I wish to send my good wishes to former President Shehu Shagari on his 90th birthday,” he said.

Buhari, Wamakko and Shagari on Saturday

“Alhaji Shehu Shagari is now the Grand Old Man of Nigerian politics, having been in the frame of public affairs since the colonial days.

“Although my government forcibly removed his government, he has always shown me civility and much courtesy. His contributions at the National Council of State meetings, which I attend, have always been constructive and eloquent.”

Shagari’s birthday was attended by former presidents and head of state Olusegun Obasanjo, Ibrahim Babangida, Abdusalami Abubakar, Yakubu Gowon, Ernest Shonekan and incumbent Goodluck Jonathan.

Shagari was president of Nigeria between October 1, 1979 and December 31, 1983, when he was deposed in a coup d’etat that led to Buhari’s emergence as head of state.