ADC Accuses Tinubu of Exploiting Buhari’s Burial to Whitewash Political Image

The African Democratic Congress, ADC, has accused President Bola Ahmed Tinubu of using the burial of former President Muhammadu Buhari as a political tool to rehabilitate his image and divert attention from the failures of his administration. In a statement issued on Friday by the party’s Interim National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, the ADC described the Federal Government’s handling of Buhari’s death as a “calculated public relations performance” aimed at gaining political mileage. The party said it was hypocritical for the Tinubu administration to now celebrate Buhari after repeatedly distancing itself from his policies and blaming him for Nigeria’s current challenges. “How can a government that has spent the past year criticizing the Buhari administration for its economic and security failures now present itself as the foremost mourner of the late President? This is not a tribute; it is a shameless political performance,” the statement read. Former President Muhammadu Buhari died in London on July 13, 2025, and was buried on July 15 in his hometown, Daura, Katsina State. The Federal Government had declared a seven-day mourning period, during which flags were flown at half-mast and a special Federal Executive Council, FEC, session was convened to honour him. President Tinubu, Vice President Kashim Shettima, and top government officials were present at the event. The ADC criticised the government’s high-profile tribute, particularly the televised appearance of Buhari’s son, Yusuf Buhari, at the FEC meeting. The party claimed the gesture was orchestrated to emotionally manipulate Nigerians and reposition the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, ahead of future political contests. According to the ADC, “The same government that scrapped fuel subsidy without adequate cushioning measures and blamed Buhari for Nigeria’s economic problems is now trying to rebrand itself using his name and legacy. Nigerians are not fooled.” The party urged the Buhari family and his political allies to resist being used as instruments in what it called a “public spectacle” designed for image laundering. It called on all political stakeholders to honour Buhari’s memory with dignity and avoid exploiting his death for political gain. As a mark of respect for the late president, the ADC announced the suspension of all political activities for three days, beginning July 15. The party said the mourning period would serve as a solemn time of reflection and honour for Buhari’s service to the nation. President Tinubu had earlier hailed Buhari as a patriotic leader, describing him as a man of discipline, integrity, and national vision. He also announced the renaming of the University of Maiduguri in honour of the late president. The ADC, however, maintains that Tinubu’s tributes ring hollow in the face of his administration’s earlier public denouncements of Buhari-era policies. The party said any genuine tribute must come with consistency, not political opportunism.