Presidency Slams ADC Over Buhari Burial Remarks, Labels Statement ‘Shameless Exploitation’
By Raheem Ibrahim
The Presidency has strongly rebuked the African Democratic Congress (ADC) over its recent comments alleging that the Tinubu administration is politicising the death and state burial of former President Muhammadu Buhari.
In a press release issued by Mr. Sunday Dare, the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Public Communications, the Presidency described the ADC’s statement as “an opportunistic exercise in manufactured outrage” and a “laughable tantrum” by a party “desperately clutching at straws for relevance it will never attain.”
According to the statement, the ADC’s accusation that President Bola Tinubu’s government is “exploiting” Buhari’s passing for political gain is not only “dishonest” but also “an insult to millions of Nigerians who genuinely mourn the loss of a statesman.”
“The ADC is the one exploiting Buhari’s death for political attention, not this government,” Dare said, accusing the opposition party of attempting to make political capital out of a solemn national moment.
The press statement pointed to the presence of political figures such as former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and ex-Governor Nasir El-Rufai at the burial in Daura, describing their appearance as “choreographed” and aimed at “scouting new territory” rather than paying genuine respects.
Dare defended the government’s handling of the burial, stating it was conducted with full national honours and dignity, attracting both international attention and national unity. He noted that millions of Nigerians followed the ceremony through broadcast and online platforms.
Listing the administration’s accomplishments, Dare outlined several policy and infrastructural gains under Tinubu’s leadership, including:
- Stabilisation of the naira and harmonisation of exchange rates
- Increased oil production reaching 1.7 million barrels per day
- A 60% rise in FAAC allocations
- Salary and pension payments resumed in 31 previously debt-ridden states
- Electricity restored in underserved communities
- Major road projects such as the Ogbia-Nembe Road and Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway
- Launch of the NELFUND student loan scheme benefiting over 400,000 students
- Establishment of Regional Commissions for balanced development
- Introduction of a national Consumer Credit Scheme
“These are not press statements. These are results — tangible, measurable, and ongoing,” Dare noted. “That is leadership.”
He further took a swipe at the ADC, accusing the party of being “consumed by internal squabbles,” embroiled in legal battles, and resorting to “venomous press releases” in a bid to stay relevant.
“No press statement — however venomous — can erase the facts of progress,” he stated. “President Tinubu honoured Buhari with dignity in death and continues to honour his legacy through hard work, not hollow words.”
Concluding the statement, Dare urged Nigerians to ignore the “political noise” from what he called “an outfit gasping for attention,” asserting that governance remains on course under the Renewed Hope Agenda.
