The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has strongly criticised the administration of President Bola Tinubu, accusing it of using the death of former President Muhammadu Buhari to score political points and rehabilitate its public image.
In a statement released on Friday and signed by the party’s Interim National Publicity Secretary, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, the ADC described the tribute session held by the Federal Executive Council (FEC) and the presence of Buhari’s son, Yusuf, as a deliberate media spectacle aimed at shifting public perception.
The party alleged that the same administration which had repeatedly distanced itself from Buhari’s economic and governance policies is now attempting to capitalise on his legacy following his death.
“For over a year, this government has blamed President Buhari for the country’s economic challenges, discredited his decisions on subsidies, and painted his leadership as a failure,” the ADC stated. “Now, in a sudden turn, they are attempting to align themselves with his memory and reputation.”
The party further criticised the FEC’s publicised tribute, arguing that the involvement of Buhari’s grieving son in such a formal and televised event was insensitive and exploitative.
“It is deeply troubling that Yusuf Buhari, still mourning his father, was placed at the centre of this political display. This move raises serious questions about the intentions of the government,” the statement added.
The ADC said it found it ironic that those who previously criticised Buhari’s administration are now presenting themselves as its admirers. According to the party, the shift in tone is part of a broader strategy to gain favour, particularly in Buhari’s political stronghold in the North.
The statement recalled that the ADC had earlier warned the late president’s family of a possible attempt by the government to use his death for political gain. The party believes the tribute at the FEC meeting was only the beginning of a larger campaign to manipulate public sentiment.
“No government should turn the grief of a family into a public relations tool,” the ADC said. “Nigerians are not deceived. These theatrics cannot mask the failures of the past two years.”
The party concluded by expressing its belief that citizens would see through what it described as a well-orchestrated attempt to rewrite history and distract from the administration’s shortcomings.
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