Tinubu’s government exploiting Buhari’s death for political PR —ADC

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has accused President Bola Tinubu’s administration of exploiting former President Muhammadu Buhari’s death.
According to the ADC, the government used Buhari’s passing as a tool to polish its damaged public image. The party made this claim following a special Federal Executive Council (FEC) session held to honour Buhari’s memory. Bolaji Abdullahi, ADC’s interim national publicity secretary, said the session was merely a public relations performance, nothing more. He insisted that Nigerians must not be deceived by emotional displays meant to cover up government incompetence. “The FEC meeting was political theatre—designed to deflect attention from growing public frustration and unmet campaign promises,” he stated. Abdullahi noted that Buhari’s son, Yusuf, was pressured to publicly express gratitude in a clearly staged atmosphere. He said the tribute was not a heartfelt gesture but a strategic move to court sympathy and attention.

Party Describes FEC Tribute as Manipulative and Self-Serving

The ADC questioned why a government that discredited Buhari’s policies would suddenly try to claim his political legacy. Abdullahi reminded Nigerians how Tinubu’s administration repeatedly blamed Buhari for Nigeria’s worsening economic and social crisis. He mentioned fuel subsidy removal, failing public institutions, and insecurity as areas where Buhari was publicly criticized. However, the same government now portrays itself as respectful of Buhari—despite months of attacking his administration’s decisions.
Abdullahi argued that this shift represents political desperation rather than a genuine reevaluation of Buhari’s national contributions. He accused Tinubu’s team of hijacking personal tragedy for political gain—especially ahead of the 2027 general elections. “Grief must not become a campaign tool. Let the Buhari family mourn privately without national media manipulation,” he added. He urged citizens to recognize the performance for what it truly was—an orchestrated distraction from growing national hardship.

ADC Warns of Strategy to Exploit Northern Sentiment Before 2027 Elections

According to Abdullahi, the political exploitation of Buhari’s death was planned to stir northern sympathy and loyalty. He said Tinubu’s administration hopes to sway northern voters and consolidate support before the 2027 presidential elections. Earlier in the week, ADC had reportedly warned Buhari’s family of a potential attempt to politicize his death. “What happened at the FEC meeting only confirmed our fears,” Abdullahi said during Friday’s press briefing in Abuja. He described Yusuf Buhari’s public appearance as forced and deeply insensitive to the family’s private grieving process. “The son of the deceased should not become a political prop. Nigerians must not normalize public grief exploitation.”
He emphasized that no level of media spin could erase two years of economic hardship and national disappointment.
Abdullahi concluded by asking Nigerians not to allow Tinubu’s administration efforts in exploiting Buhari’s death, but to focus on real issues, not government drama