APC tackles ADC, says position on state burial of late Buhari, insensitive, unacceptable

By Jude Opara, Abuja

The All Progressives Congress (APC) has taken a swipe at the opposition African Democratic Congress (ADC) for criticizing the state burial of the late former President Muhammadu Buhari.

The APC in a statement on Saturday by its National Publicity Secretary (NPS), Mr. Felix Morka said it was reprehensible that the ADC chose to play politics with the show of compassion and support the government of President Bola Tinubu accorded to the bereaved family.

Morka added that the position of the coalition party on the matter clearly shows that they lacked any understanding of customary state practice as well as bereft of empathy and essential humanity.

He wrote; “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 quicksand of 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 politicize 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.

“The late President Buhari lived a life of illustrious service to country as a soldier, military Head of State, 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”.

The ruling APC further cautioned Nigerians to be wary of the ADC, describing them as a band of political marauders prowling for power with nothing to offer except peddling falsehood and vilifying a President who is hard at work for the transformation and progress of the country.

It could be recalled that the ADC had in a statement of Friday, July 18, 2025, alleged that the APC-led administration was exploiting the late President’s death for political gains.