Buhari offer special prayers for late Shagari

NAN observed that before commencement of prayers which was led by the Chief Imam/Administrator of the National Mosque, Prof. Shehu Galadanchi, Buhari met with members of the Shagari family where he consoled them over the loss.

The president also presented a letter of Condolence to the family which was read by Tambuwal, who also shared the same car with the president during the condolence visit.

The Chief Imam prayed almighty Allah to grant the soul of the former Nigerian president a peaceful resting place in Paradise.

The president had on Saturday paid tribute to the late former president, and directed that the national flag and other flags should fly at half-mast in military and para-military formations as well as public buildings for three days, starting from today.

“The late President represented almost the last link with the government of our founding fathers under Alhaji Abubakar Tafawa Balewa. He was also the first elected President of Nigeria.

“The late Alhaji Shagari was a man of many parts, teacher, local authority administrator, politician, minister, and finally President. He served his country with dedication and moderation.

“Over the years through interaction at the Council of State, he and I came to understand and appreciate each other whatever the differences we may have had in the past.

“On behalf of the Federal Government, myself and family, I send my condolences to the people of Nigeria, particularly to the late President’s family and the government and people of Sokoto State. May his soul rest in peace.”

Alhaji Bala Shagari, the eldest son of the deceased had on behalf of the family, expressed appreciation to Buhari for the visit amid his busy schedule.

The remains of the former president, who died at the age of 93 on Friday at the National Hospital Abuja, was laid to rest at his village, Shagari on Saturday, according to Islamic rites.

Shagari was president from 1979 to 1983 and won the presidential election for the second time before he was dethroned by a coup d’état that brought in Muhammadu Buhari as military head of state.

2019 – I’ll dismantle Lekki Toll Gate if elected – Jimi Agbaje

The governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in Lagos State, Jimi Agbaje, has vowed to remove the Lekki Toll Gate, if voted into power in 2019. Agbaje described the fee being collected at the toll gate as illegal.

The PDP guber candidate noted that though the toll gate was built by a concessionaire, it had since been bought over by the Lagos State Government.

He wondered why residents were still being forced to pay tolls to pass.

Agbaje was responding to the one-hour toll-free passage recently given to all motorists by his All Progressives Congress counterpart, Babajide Sanwo-Olu.

Agbaje said, “Unfortunately, the toll gate is opaque because no one knows its financial records. So, asking people on your campaign trail and others to pass without paying for just one hour is absurd and regrettable.

“Good road is a fundamental right of citizens and we promise to deliver on this and many other things.

“At the moment, most Lagos roads are impassable because of their poor condition. Now, motorists are compelled to pay heavily for passage.

“How about the so-called alternative routes? Ideally, government should have provided alternative routes to the Lekki Toll Gate, but the available alternate route is in a terrible shape, so everybody is forced to use the toll gate and pay.

“Therefore, yesterday’s drama by the governorship candidate of the APC is a farce. Nobody was deceived by the party’s action which also smacks of disrespect and bondage.”