The Nigerian Presidency, speaking through the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Public Communications, Sunday Dare, has vehemently denounced the African Democratic Congress (ADC) for what it terms an “obnoxious statement” regarding the state burial of former President Muhammadu Buhari. The Presidency accuses the ADC of exploiting Buhari’s death for political gain, characterizing their actions as a “laughable tantrum” and “manufactured outrage.” This strong rebuke underscores the simmering tensions between the ruling party and the opposition, with the ADC positioned as a minor player attempting to gain relevance through controversial pronouncements. The core of the disagreement lies in the ADC’s claim that the Tinubu administration is exploiting Buhari’s passing for political mileage, a charge the Presidency vehemently denies.
Dare’s response, issued on Saturday, paints a picture of a desperate political entity, the ADC, resorting to attention-seeking behavior. He dismisses their criticisms as “hollow” and indicative of a party grappling with an identity crisis, questioning their legitimacy to criticize the President on matters of governance and accountability. The statement highlights a perceived pattern of such behavior from the ADC, suggesting this latest outburst is not an isolated incident. This characterization of the ADC as a struggling political entity serves to diminish their critique and portray them as irrelevant in the larger political landscape. The implication is that their statements should not be given serious consideration.
The central accusation leveled by the ADC, that the Tinubu government is exploiting Buhari’s death, is firmly rejected by the Presidency. Dare frames this accusation as not only dishonest but also an insult to Nigerians who genuinely mourned the former President. He argues that the state burial was conducted with the utmost respect and dignity, reflecting the stature of the deceased leader. The Presidency further counters the ADC’s claim by accusing the opposition party itself of exploiting Buhari’s death for political attention, alleging they are “dancing on his grave for relevance.” This rhetorical maneuver effectively turns the accusation back onto the accuser, attempting to undermine their credibility.
To bolster this counter-accusation, Dare cites examples of what he describes as opportunistic behavior from opposition figures, particularly referencing the arrival of Atiku Abubakar and Nasir El-Rufai in Daura for the burial. He portrays their presence as a calculated move to capitalize on a solemn occasion for political gain. This narrative aims to solidify the image of the opposition as exploiting a national moment of mourning for their own political advantage, contrasting it with the supposedly respectful and dignified conduct of the current administration.
The Presidency asserts that President Tinubu’s focus remains on delivering the “Renewed Hope Agenda” rather than engaging in petty political squabbles. Dare highlights a series of achievements attributed to the Tinubu administration, including stabilizing the Naira, increasing oil production, boosting FAAC allocations, enabling debt-ridden states to pay salaries and pensions, and decoupling the Naira from oil market volatility. He further emphasizes improvements in electricity supply, progress on significant infrastructure projects, the NELFUND student loan scheme, the establishment of Regional Commissions for balanced development, and the launch of the Consumer Credit Scheme. This litany of accomplishments serves to showcase the administration’s effectiveness and deflect criticism.
Dare concludes his statement by urging Nigerians to disregard the “political noise” from the ADC, portraying them as an entity desperately seeking attention. He reinforces the message that President Tinubu remains committed to fulfilling his agenda and will not be distracted by the “desperate antics of political scavengers.” This concluding statement underscores the Presidency’s dismissal of the ADC’s criticism and reinforces the narrative that the current administration is focused on governance and delivering tangible results for the Nigerian people. The overall strategy is to portray the ADC’s accusations as baseless and politically motivated while simultaneously highlighting the administration’s achievements and commitment to its agenda.
