Buhari’s Death: Shehu Sani Warns Nigerians, “Speak Not Ill of the Dead”
- Former federal lawmaker, Shehu Sani, has stirred a fresh controversy in the polity by cautioning Nigerians over ex-President Muhammadu Buhari's death
- Shehu Sani got many talking after he warned Nigerians against insulting the late Buhari, who passed away on Sunday, July 13, in London
- In a twist, Nigerians took to his social media page X and also reacted differently to his warning over the memory of the late president
Legit.ng journalist Esther Odili has over two years of experience covering political parties and movements.
Shehu Sani, the senator who represented Kaduna Central in the eighth National Assembly, has cautioned Nigerians against speaking ill of the late former President Muhammadu Buhari, who passed away on Sunday, July 13, 2025.
Source: Facebook
Legit.ng earlier reported that Buhari died on Sunday afternoon, July 13, 2025, at a London hospital, United Kingdom.
But on Sunday, Shehu Sani issued a warning to Nigerians via a post shared on his X page.
The former lawmaker tweeted:
"Speak not ill of the dead. We are all mortals moving on the queue of our fate. A living man is still on the trials of life, awaiting the ruling of his destiny, and cannot judge the dead."
Shehu Sani’s call for restraint came amid mixed reactions to Buhari’s demise, with some leaders paying tribute while others criticise his legacy.
The Nigerian Tribune reported that activist Omoyele Sowore was among those who criticised Buhari’s legacy, describing it as “terrible” and marked by “repression, economic hardship, insecurity, and religious bigotry.”
Source: UGC
Nigerians react as Shehu Sani issues warning
As usual, Nigerians took to the comment section of Shehu Sani's page on X and shared their opinion regarding the former lawmaker's warning. Legit.ng compiled a few reactions below;
@VicUgochukwu tweeted:
"Chineke kpo kwa gị ọkụ! Egbe eluigwe gbagbue gi."
@ademi_nokan tweeted:
"When the righteous prosper the city rejoices.. when the wicked perish there are shout of joy."
@djokaymegamixer
"Speak not ill of the dead?
"This is the sort of statement that encourages the living to live irresponsibly, thinking that the havoc they wreak will not be spoken of once they are gone.The evil that men do lives after them."
@FrannyOD tweeted:
"Live a good life so I don't have to lie at your funeral."
@johnojarr tweeted:
"Do not be deceived for God CANNOT be mocked, what ever a man sows, that he shall reap."
@valentinowpg
"Cease your sermon immediately, as there are families suffering or are unable to locate the remains of their loved ones at this time."
Why Nigerians won't keep quiet - Historian
Following reactions trailing the death of former President Muhammadu Buhari, a historian and political scientist, Dr. Olasupo Olakunle Thompson, has explained why many Nigerians continue to speak critically of the deceased leader despite cultural norms.
“There is this African proverb that we should not speak ill of the dead,” he told Legit.ng.
“But in recent times, there is also a saying that you cannot beat up a child and expect him or her not to cry.”
“Even the Bible says when the wicked dies, the people rejoice.”
He attributed the growing trend to a shift in societal awareness:
“Modernity, open information and the cyber space, ideology, growing knowledge on human rights as well as the new generation of citizenry who will not keep quiet are some of the factors responsible for the recent and constant commentaries about the dead.”
Read more about Shehu Sani, Buhari here:
- Peter Rufai: Shehu Sani reacts as legendary Super Eagles goalkeeper dies at 61
- “We were in the same London hospital”: Former Head of State recounts Buhari’s final moments
- Buhari’s death: Emotion, tears as Shettima visits Aisha Buhari in London, photos go viral
- “I belong to everybody, and nobody”: 15 memorable Buhari quotes to remember
- “Why I joined the military”: Video of Buhari's final interview trends
Buhari’s death: Clip of his last day emerges
Meanwhile, Legit.ng reported that Isaac Fayose shared a video of Muhammadu Buhari, shortly before he travelled to London for medical treatment, where he later passed away.
In the clip, he former leader appears youthful and fair-skinned, standing while engaged in prayer.
The video has since garnered widespread attention, with fans expressing surprise and awe at how vibrant Buhari looked in the footage.
Editorial assistant Ololade Olatimehin provided exclusive commentary from a historian for this report.
Source: Legit.ng
