₦airaland Forum

Shehu Sani’s recent assertion that Muhammadu Buhari "didn’t honour anyone like Tinubu did" is not only historically inaccurate, but intellectually dishonest, a revisionist take that insults the memory of democratic heroes and the intelligence of Nigerians.

One of Buhari’s most profound and symbolic gestures was the unprecedented decision to shift Nigeria’s Democracy Day from May 29th to June 12th, in recognition of Chief MKO Abiola, the true winner of the annulled 1993 presidential election. This was not a trivial change of calendar, it was a bold political act that corrected a decades-long national injustice and finally acknowledged the sacrifice of Abiola and the pro-democracy struggle, particularly in the Southwest.

Unlike previous administrations including those of Obasanjo and Jonathan, Buhari had the political courage to confront a painful chapter of Nigeria's history and elevate Abiola posthumously to the status of a national hero. He also conferred Nigeria’s highest national honour, the GCFR, on Abiola, something no president before him dared to do. This singular act was deeply significant for the Yoruba people and the entire nation. It spoke louder than any monument or political appointment. It was honour rooted in conscience, not calculation.

To now suggest that Buhari "didn’t honour anyone" compared to Tinubu is to willfully ignore this landmark action. If honour is measured by courage, substance, and historical rectification, not just appointments and patronage, then Buhari’s gesture towers above performative political symbolism.

Shehu Sani, a man who once championed democratic values, should know better than to distort the record. Buhari honoured not only Abiola, but the entire democratic movement, and his action remains one of the most meaningful reconciliatory decisions since 1999.

History will not be rewritten to satisfy political vanity. Buhari may not be perfect, but to say he didn't honour anyone is a disservice to Nigeria’s democratic journey and a slap in the face of the families of June 12 martyrs.

Shehu Sani should retract or refine his statement, unless of course, political convenience now supersedes the truth.

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https://www.facebook.com/61577986553693/posts/pfbid024dPfM6LojeLLgZAeSQ9avHrL9VJxEop5wHGLdL82df26vm2zSA9WaXaN1sFZbS7cl/

So, with just one example you have bestowed legitimacy on what the writer said and discarded what Shehu Sani said. That is intellectual laziness on the writers part. While not casting aspersion on Buhari the truth remains that no President has honoured any past leader the way Tinubu did to Buhari. Those that wish to bemean Tinubus gesture are just trying in vain. Even the cited Buhari s singular act of honouring Abiola has all the handwriting of Tinubus influence on it. If you don't know Lagos started the agitation of celebrating democracy day on June 12 before the Federal govt then succumbed to the idea. Head or tail Tinubu is played a huge role in influencing Buhari to accept June 12 as democracy day. That's why one of Abiolas sons recently catalogued Tinubus roles before, during and after Abiolas death. Buhari had no choice because if not for Abiolas death Buhari probably would not have become president. Shehu Sani was an active participant in pro- June 12 struggle and knows more than all the opportunists ADC and their supporters. What were the contributions of Atiku, El-Rufai, Ameachi, David Mark, Peter Obi to June 12 struggle? Even Sowore played a more active role than all this people as Unilag Student Union leader. With Gani, Dr Beko Kuti, Felas brother, Frank Kokori and several others. But now the vultures have gathered in ADC to rewrite history and successfully displaced most of those that fought for current democracy except Tinubu.

To the poster above me, all that "fought for democracy" cliché is becoming stale and has been proven to be false. Who said "democracy fighter" is now the standard for leadership in the country? Is Tinubu not already behaving worse than Abacha? All the coalition leaders you mentioned above are better democrats than Tinubu has turned out to be. His claims of fighting for democracy in exile is no different from Simon Ekpa leading the Biafra Government in Exile. If anything, it's cowardice.

Max24:
So, with just one example you have bestowed legitimacy on what the writer said and discarded what Shehu Sani said. That is intellectual laziness on the writers part. While not casting aspersion on Buhari the truth remains that no President has honoured any past leader the way Tinubu did to Buhari. Those that wish to bemean Tinubus gesture are just trying in vain. Even the cited Buhari s singular act of honouring Abiola has all the handwriting of Tinubus influence on it. If you don't know Lagos started the agitation of celebrating democracy day on June 12 before the Federal govt then succumbed to the idea. Head or tail Tinubu is played a huge role in influencing Buhari to accept June 12 as democracy day. That's why one of Abiolas sons recently catalogued Tinubus roles before, during and after Abiolas death. Buhari had no choice because if not for Abiolas death Buhari probably would not have become president. Shehu Sani was an active participant in pro- June 12 struggle and knows more than all the opportunists ADC and their supporters. What were the contributions of Atiku, El-Rufai, Ameachi, David Mark, Peter Obi to June 12 struggle? Even Sowore played a more active role than all this people as Unilag Student Union leader. With Gani, Dr Beko Kuti, Felas brother, Frank Kokori and several others. But now the vultures have gathered in ADC to rewrite history and successfully displaced most of those that fought for current democracy except Tinubu.

Tinubu fought for democracy? Someone that suspended an elected governor. I put it to you that you don't know the meaning of democracy.

jmoore:
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https://www.facebook.com/61577986553693/posts/pfbid024dPfM6LojeLLgZAeSQ9avHrL9VJxEop5wHGLdL82df26vm2zSA9WaXaN1sFZbS7cl/

A lot of your people are not happy because of what Shehu Sani said. You must be so heartbroken for you to paste an article you got from Facebook written by a Tinubu hater

The same Obidients who were telling Buhari not to hand over to Tinubu, are now angry Tinubu gave Buhari a state burial

jmoore:
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Tinubu fought for democracy? Someone that suspended an elected governor. I put it to you that you don't know the meaning of democracy.

How old are you? Next you would ask me is if Sowore fought during June 12. Those were the people that protested while facing the barrel of soldiers guns at Yaba, Ojota and other places. These people have antecedents difficult to wish away. They are not like Obi who has no democratic antecedent before becoming governor.