The nation has once again been thrown into mourning as the Ex-Nigerian President’s Wife is Dead. The family of late former President Shehu Shagari confirmed the passing of his last surviving wife, Hajiya Sutura Shehu Shagari. Her death marks the end of an era in the Shagari household, a family that once held Nigeria’s highest political seat.
According to a statement released by the late president’s eldest son, Capt. Bala Shagari, who currently serves as the Sarkin Mafaran Shagari, Hajiya Sutura passed away at approximately 3 p.m. on Monday, November 10. She reportedly died after a long battle with illness, at the age of 89. The announcement, made with “deep sorrow,” emphasized that she was the last surviving wife of the former Nigerian leader.
The statement described the late matriarch as a woman of grace, humility, and quiet strength who lived her life with dignity and commitment to family values. Her passing has drawn sympathy from many Nigerians who remember her husband’s leadership and her calm, supportive role during and after his time in office. The Ex-Nigerian President’s Wife is Dead — a loss that brings to mind Nigeria’s political history and the legacy of the Shagari family.
Shehu Shagari was a respected politician who became Nigeria’s first democratically elected president in the Second Republic. He assumed office in 1979 following the handover of power from the military government led by General Olusegun Obasanjo. His administration represented a pivotal moment in Nigeria’s return to civilian rule, and his family’s influence in national affairs remained notable even after his presidency ended.
Hajiya Sutura’s passing comes barely three months after the death of another prominent figure from Shagari’s political era, Chief Audu Ogbeh, who served as the Minister of Communications during Shagari’s tenure. Ogbeh reportedly passed away on Saturday, August 9, at the age of 78. His family announced his death in a statement expressing “deep sadness,” noting that he died peacefully in the early hours of the day.
The Ogbeh family described him as a devoted husband, father, and grandfather who lived a life of integrity, service, and dedication to his community and the nation. They expressed comfort in knowing the many lives he positively impacted, emphasizing his selfless contributions to public service.
Chief Audu Ogbeh was not only a key member of Shagari’s administration but also a major player in Nigeria’s political landscape. Beyond his earlier role in the Second Republic, he went on to serve as National Chairman of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) between 2001 and 2005. He later became Minister of Agriculture under the administration of former President Muhammadu Buhari.
Interestingly, Buhari himself passed away just a month before Ogbeh’s death, creating a somber chain of losses among notable figures from Nigeria’s political history. These successive deaths have evoked nostalgia among Nigerians who recall the era of the Second Republic — a time many describe as one of hope, rebuilding, and democratic revival.
As the Ex-Nigerian President’s Wife is Dead, tributes continue to pour in from political leaders, community members, and citizens across the country. Her death not only symbolizes the loss of a family matriarch but also signifies the fading away of a generation that shaped Nigeria’s formative years after independence.
The Shagari family is expected to announce funeral arrangements soon, as condolences flood in from far and wide. Many have praised Hajiya Sutura Shehu Shagari for her humility, resilience, and quiet strength — qualities that complemented her husband’s leadership and endeared her to those who knew her personally.
Her passing, like that of her husband years earlier, serves as a solemn reminder of the fleeting nature of life and the enduring legacy left behind by those who serve their nation with dignity. The Ex-Nigerian President’s Wife is Dead, but her memory will live on in the hearts of Nigerians who cherish the history of the country’s early democratic years.
Credit: Vanguard / The Punch