On July 18, 2025, the African Democratic Congress (ADC) issued a blistering statement, accusing President Bola Tinubu and his administration of exploiting the death of former President Muhammadu Buhari for political gain. While the late president is yet to be fully mourned by the nation, the ADC claims that what should be a solemn time of national reflection has instead become a stage for a government desperate to salvage its image.
This latest criticism didn’t come from just anywhere. Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, the party’s interim national publicity secretary, signed off on the press release. And it wasn’t just another political jab. According to the ADC, the carefully orchestrated Federal Executive Council (FEC) tribute and the media spectacle around Yusuf Buhari’s appearance were not genuine displays of mourning. Rather, they were described as “a calculated PR stunt by an unpopular government.”
Let’s not forget that this is the same administration that had consistently distanced itself from Buhari’s policies. Since day one, Tinubu’s presidency made it clear: Buhari was the source of Nigeria’s economic woes. Fuel subsidies, fiscal mismanagement, a bloated public sector—you name it, they blamed it on Buhari. And now, after painting that grim picture for over a year, they expect Nigerians to believe that Buhari was a leader to be revered?
ADC slams Tinubu for what they see as hypocrisy at its worst. And honestly, they’re not alone.
Also Read: Buhari Was Honest, Not Perfect — Nigerians React to Akpabio’s Tribute
A Nation Reacts: Real Voices, Real Frustration
When news of ADC’s statement broke, Nigerians on social media were quick to chime in and the reactions were loud, mixed, and revealing.
@Diplomat_01 didn’t mince words: “This statement captures the deep frustration many Nigerians feel about the shameless politicisation of national grief… You can’t disown a man in life and suddenly claim him in death.”
Others, like @MrWaleIbrahim, felt ADC was just looking for relevance: “I kept on reading the long epistle thinking that there will be something negatively significant to say about PBAT and APC… They tried to get between Buhari and Tinubu in life and still want to in death.”
That said, even among those defending the president, there was a grudging acknowledgement of how timing and presentation matter. @mrolamidedavid offered cultural context: “President Tinubu is simply showing statesmanship and respect… Beyond being his predecessor, Buhari was 10 years older.”
But let’s call it like it is: if the Tinubu administration spent over a year erasing Buhari from its narrative, you can’t expect people to watch the FEC tribute and not raise eyebrows.
A Strategic Warning or Political Overreach?
Some Nigerians viewed ADC’s move as a sharp and strategic checkmate.
@achibmen declared, “Do you know how ADC guards their principal? That’s how they will guard Nigerians… Be vigilant, because Nigerians have put all their trust in you.”
Meanwhile, @IkhadeAgboghay1 put it bluntly: “APC vilified, humiliated and condemned Buhari as if he was not APC. Now they want to recover his followers. 2027 will decide.”
Others weren’t as impressed. @gianiwalata pushed back: “Are you angry that Tinubu gave Late PMB a befitting burial? Everything should not be politics.”
But even this counterpoint reveals the depth of tension. Nigerians aren’t just divided over one tribute; they’re asking bigger questions. Should mourning be politicised? Should a grieving son be placed in the spotlight of national governance days after losing his father? The ADC slams Tinubu not only for insensitivity, but for turning personal grief into a national campaign strategy.
Real Respect or Just for Show?
There’s another layer here. In Nigerian culture, respect for elders and leaders runs deep. It’s often said that how you honour the dead speaks volumes. Some like @mrolamidedavid believe the President did the honorable thing, not a political one.
But cultural decency doesn’t excuse political double-speak. Can you honour a man whose policies you disowned for 12 months? Can you stage tributes after building your own legitimacy on rejecting his legacy?
Politics in Nigeria has never been short on drama. But there’s a difference between engaging in robust political strategy and crossing the line into emotional exploitation.
In the coming months, expect more from the ADC. Their statement is not just about a tribute. It’s about trust, legacy, and 2027. As one commenter warned, “Nigerians can see through their grand deceit.”
Whether you agree or disagree, this moment challenges us to think about the kind of politics we want. Should it be based on consistency and principle, or just optics and timing?
What Do You Think?
We want to hear from you. Do you believe the Tinubu administration is using Buhari’s death for political gain? Or was the FEC tribute a genuine show of respect?
Leave a comment below. Let’s keep the conversation going—because Nigeria deserves better, and it starts with hearing every voice.
