By Ogochukwu Isioma
The ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) has lambasted the African Democratic Congress (ADC) over its criticism of the state burial accorded to the late former President Muhammadu Buhari, describing the opposition coalition party’s stance as “spooky,” “unconscionable,” and a betrayal of basic humanity.
The APC’s response follows a statement issued by the ADC on Friday, accusing President Bola Tinubu’s administration of allegedly exploiting the death of the former president for political gain. The ADC had described the high-profile ceremonies and the government’s extensive support for Buhari’s bereaved family as opportunistic and self-serving.
But in a statement signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Felix Morka, on Saturday, the APC condemned the ADC’s remarks, saying the opposition party’s attack was “insensitive, unacceptable,” and emblematic of its lack of understanding of statecraft and national traditions.
“The party’s criticism of the dignified state burial accorded the late President is as spooky as it is unconscionable,” Morka said.
“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 quicksand of ignominy.”
The ruling party argued that according a state burial to the late President Buhari, who died last week, was not only befitting of his status but a moral obligation to a leader who dedicated much of his life to Nigeria’s service as a soldier, military Head of State, and two-term elected president.
“That the ADC is blowing up over the state burial of the late President only reflects the party’s duplicity and insensitivity,” the statement continued.
“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.”
The APC described the ADC’s labeling of the government’s solemn activities as “exploitation” as being beyond the bounds of responsible opposition politics, accusing it of allowing “humanity to be corroded by desperation for inordinate and self-serving power.”
Morka praised President Tinubu for showing compassion, patriotism, and leadership by honouring a friend, close associate, and predecessor “who gave so much to our dear nation.”
“The late President Buhari lived a life of illustrious service to country… 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,” the statement added.
The APC warned Nigerians to be wary of the ADC, which it described as a 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 ADC’s criticism, which sparked the row, had questioned the scale and tone of Buhari’s state burial ceremonies and accused the APC-led government of using the event to score political points rather than showing genuine grief.
The ADC said in its earlier statement: “The APC government’s overblown spectacle of mourning reeks of political exploitation of a solemn national moment. We believe that dignity, not drama, should guide the nation’s farewell to her leaders.”
The late President Buhari passed away on Sunday, July 13 in London after a prolonged illness, and was laid to rest on Tuesday 15th July in his Daura home town, Katsina State, in a ceremony attended by dignitaries, heads of state, and thousands of mourners across the country.
