Following the death of former President Muhammadu Buhari in London on Sunday, the former Senator who represented Kaduna Central in the 8th National Assembly, Shehu Sani, has cautioned Nigerians to refrain from speaking ill of the dead, reminding the public of the shared human destiny of mortality and the uncertainty of life’s end.
Senator Sani’s call for restraint came amid mixed reactions to Buhari’s demise, with some Nigerians paying tributes while others criticised his legacy.
In a solemn message posted on his verified social media account on Monday, the human rights activist and former lawmaker said, “Speak not ill of the dead. We are all mortals awaiting an uncertain fate at an uncertain time and uncertain place.”
Shehu Sani emphasised that those who are alive remain on trial and, therefore, lack the moral ground to pass judgement on those who have passed away.
“A living man is still on trial and cannot judge the dead. Let the sleeping soul rest,” he added.
The former lawmaker’s statement has resonated with many netizens, sparking a wider conversation on the ethics of posthumous judgement and the importance of compassion in public commentary.
