The Presidency has fired back at the African Democratic Congress (ADC), condemning its criticism of the state burial accorded to former President Muhammadu Buhari, describing the party’s comments as “shameful” and “attention-seeking.”
In a strongly worded statement issued on Saturday, the Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Media and Public Communications, Mr. Sunday Dare, accused the ADC of exploiting Buhari’s death to score cheap political points, branding the party a “poorly amalgamated political contraption.”
Dare was reacting to a statement allegedly issued by the ADC, which accused the Tinubu-led administration of “exploiting” the death of the former president for political gain.
According to the presidential aide, the ADC’s remarks were nothing more than “an opportunistic exercise in manufactured outrage,” adding that the party’s statement amounted to “a laughable tantrum” driven by desperation for public relevance.
“A party still grappling with an identity crisis presumes to lecture the President of the Federal Republic on governance, decorum, and public accountability. How utterly ridiculous,” Dare stated.
He said that rather than provide constructive opposition, the ADC had resorted to releasing disjointed and hollow statements “on every passing event just to remind Nigerians it still exists.”
Dare described the ADC’s allegations surrounding Buhari’s burial as “not only dishonest” but “an insult to millions of Nigerians who genuinely mourned the loss of a statesman and watched his state burial with solemn respect and dignity.”
He added: “Let it be said clearly: it is the ADC, not this government, that is exploiting Buhari’s death for political attention. They have chosen to dance on his grave in a bid for relevance.”
Highlighting the government’s achievements under President Tinubu, Dare pointed to what he described as significant strides made since assuming office, including economic and infrastructural reforms.
“Naira stabilised; exchange rates harmonised; oil production increased to 1.7 million barrels per day; FAAC allocations up by over 60%. Thirty-one states, once crippled by debt, are now paying salaries, pensions, and contractors,” Dare stated.
He also mentioned progress in student loans through the NELFUND scheme, electricity restoration in underserved communities, ongoing infrastructure projects like the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway, and the introduction of the Consumer Credit Scheme.
Taking further aim at the ADC, Dare accused the party of being plagued by internal crises, legal battles, and lacking any real political weight.
“This party is consumed by internal squabbles, facing multiple court cases over its very existence, and reduced to issuing baseless attacks just to cling to the fringes of relevance. Are these strange bedfellows to be taken seriously? No,” he said.
Dare concluded by urging Nigerians to disregard the ADC’s criticisms, emphasizing that President Tinubu remains focused on delivering the Renewed Hope Agenda.
“President Tinubu honoured Buhari with dignity in death and continues to honour his legacy through hard work, not hollow words. Nigerians should ignore this political noise from an outfit gasping for attention,” he said.
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