The All Progressives Congress (APC) has described as insensitive and unacceptable the African Democratic Congress’ criticism of President Bola Tinubu regarding the state burial of former President Muhammadu Buhari.
In a statement issued on Saturday by its National Publicity Secretary, Felix Morka, the APC chastised the ADC for politicising what should be a solemn period of national grief, describing the party’s words as foolish and ill-timed.
On Thursday, Tinubu paid tribute to the late former President Muhammadu Buhari, calling him a “good, decent, and honourable man” whose virtues of discipline, patriotism, and honesty will be remembered.
Tinubu stated at a Special Federal Executive Council session honouring Buhari at the State House that, despite his imperfections, Buhari’s unwavering devotion to national service distinguished him.
However, in a statement issued on Friday, ADC’s Interim National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, condemned the homage, describing it as a “deliberate publicity stunt” by an unpopular administration.
In reaction, the APC stated that the ADC’s fury over the late president’s state burial demonstrates the party’s hypocrisy and lack of compassion.
The APC statement read in part, “The party’s criticism of the dignified state burial accorded the late president is as spooky as it is unconscionable.
“Again, the ADC has showcased itself to be without any understanding of customary state practice and lacking empathy and essential humanity. It has cut its own portrait as a party of mindless political dregs, a dump of Nigeria’s internally displaced politicians, ready to do or say anything in chase of attention but sinking itself deeper in quicks and ignominy.
“That the ADC is blowing up over the state burial of the late president only reflects the party’s duplicity and insensitivity. What would the ADC have had President Tinubu do? Deny the late President Buhari the honour of a befitting state burial? Withhold empathy and support for the bereaved former first family? As a party that can begrudge the dead, the ADC must surely disdain the living.
“It is unacceptable for the ADC to politicise a solemn moment of national grief, more so as its senseless statement was issued during the week of national mourning for the late president. The party’s reference to heartfelt gestures and activities of the government in honour of the late president as “exploitation” is beyond the pale.
“It falls far outside the widest and wildest stretch of justifiable opposition politics. Clearly, the party and its villainous leaders have allowed their humanity to be corroded by desperation for inordinate and self-serving power.”
APC urged Nigerians to beware of ADC’s deceitful politics and baseless attacks on a hard-working president.
“The late President Buhari lived a life of illustrious service to his country as a soldier, military head of state, and a two-term democratically elected president of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. He was also just a human being, a father, survived by a loving but grieving family worthy of our collective empathy and support at this difficult time.
“President Bola Tinubu showed compassion and a deep sense of loss of a friend, close political associate and predecessor. He demonstrated patriotism and leadership by overseeing and participating in honouring the late president who gave so much to our dear nation.
“Nigerians must remain wary of the ADC and its band of political marauders prowling for power with nothing to offer Nigerians except peddling falsehood and vilifying a president who is hard at work for the transformation and progress of our nation,” the APC added.
