Former lawmaker and social commentator, Senator Shehu Sani, has urged Nigerians to refrain from making derogatory remarks about the late former President Muhammadu Buhari.

The former Kaduna Central senator made the appeal on his Facebook page, stressing that it is inappropriate to speak ill of the dead. According to him, “We are all mortals awaiting an uncertain fate at uncertain time and uncertain places. A living man is still on trial and cannot judge the dead. Let the sleeping soul rest.”

His statement comes amid a wave of mixed reactions following the reported death of Muhammadu Buhari, who passed away on Sunday in London, according to Daily Post.

While many prominent figures have continued to pay tributes to the former Nigerian leader, several Nigerians have expressed anger and disappointment over Buhari’s legacy, especially on social media.

One of the most vocal critics is Omoyele Sowore, a human rights activist and presidential candidate, who described Buhari’s time in office as “a period of repression, economic hardship, insecurity, and religious bigotry.” He added that Buhari “left deep scars on Nigeria’s democratic fabric.”

Other citizens also criticized the fact that the former president died abroad, linking it to the persistent failure of Nigeria’s healthcare system — a sector many say deteriorated further under his administration.

Despite the criticism, Shehu Sani appealed to the conscience of the public, emphasizing the importance of dignity in death, regardless of one’s actions in life.