by James Sambo
The family of erstwhile president, Shehu Shagari, has released a statement refuting recent reports that his father endorsed President Goodluck Jonathan.
According to one of the sons, Muhammad Bala Shagari, the reports are “nothing but a blatant lie”, owing to the fact that the former leader is not affiliated to any political party and does not support any candidate in the elections.
The statement said: “I’d like to inform the general public and concerned citizens of this country that the speech that was credited to His Excellency Alhaji Shehu Shagari, GCFR (Turakin Sokoto) by some media agencies and online news blogs in which His Excellency was reported to have endorsed President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan and commending his government for some achievements is nothing but a blatant lie. And we’ve condemned it in strong terms.”
“It is pertinent to note that Alhaji Shehu Shagari is not a card-carrying member of any political party neither [does he] support the candidature of any politician. Alhaji Shehu Shagari was for long retired from partisan politics, he’s known for his proven integrity and [reputation as a] distinguished nationalist and elder statesman who treats every Nigerian/politician equally irrespective of his/her political party, tribe, ethnicity or religion.”
Furthermore, the statement said Shagari has not commented on the upcoming elections in the media, adding that he hasn’t commended or condemned any aspirant.
“Therefore Alhaji Shehu Shagari has never ever issued any press statement [or granted] audience [to] any media agency to comment on the forthcoming elections or to speak of any politician, be it president or not. We therefore urge the general public to regard such publication as mere fabrications and concoctions aimed to tarnish the good image of Alhaji Shehu Shagari.”
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