The Convener of ‘Otu Nkwado Atiku na Obi’, an Igbo Voter Movement for the presidential bid of Atiku/Obi presidency, Maxi Okwu, has urged President Muhammadu Buhari to apologise to Nigerians and the Shagari family for staging a coup that toppled the government of former President Shehu Shagari.
Okwu, who referred to the President Buhari’s statement on Shagari’s death, wondered why he (Buhari) toppled the government on the basis of corruption since he knew that he (Shagari) was a “patriot, who served Nigeria with humility, integrity and diligence.”
Okwu lamented the death of Shehu Othman Aliyu Shagari (GCFR), Nigeria’s former President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, adding that he did not deserve the treatment meted on him by the Buhari’s military junta.
Okwu, a seasoned politician and lawyer, in a statement issued by Okah Kingsley Chukwuebuka, his Personal Assistant (PA) on New Media, described Shagari, as “A political dove, a peerless enigma and an ambassador of character in public life.”
Okwu called on Nigerians to spare some time to study “the strenuous and pious life Shehu led and ask themselves some questions on where the nation is currently headed to due to obvious dearth of inspirational and patriotic leaders.”
He said his movement was shocked to read from the presidency “led by the President Muhammadu Buhari, who showered encomiums and adumbrated virtues he knew Shehu with.”
Okwu stressed: “The movement called on the nation to appreciate the fact that President Buhari who toppled Shagari presidency in 1983 on the basis of lack of integrity woke today to label same man a man of integrity.
“The movement, therefore, advises the President Buhari to apologise to the Nigerian nation and Shagari family on the ignoble role he played the sacking of democratic government of President Shagari and stultifying our democratic progress.
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“The movement sends her condolence to the family of the late President and charges them to take solace on the fact their father left legacies of goodwill, selfless service, humility and devotion to public life.
“The movement beckons on Nigerians to read meaning to the fact that Buhari, through coup ousted Shagari presidency and plunged the nation into economic servitude.
“Again, Shagari died under Buhari’s regime and asks whether it was a protest by the elder statesman to quit life under a man who has not justified his claim of ousting his government.
“The movement further prays for a hitch-free burial activities on his demise and as well recommends that a valid voter card in the hands of 40,000,000 voters will send Buhari back to Daura.”
