The Presidency has fired back at the African Democratic Congress (ADC) over its recent comments on the burial of former President Muhammadu Buhari, describing the party’s statement as “an opportunistic exercise in manufactured outrage.”
In a strongly worded press release issued on Saturday and signed by Sunday Dare, Special Adviser to the President on Media and Public Communications, the Tinubu administration accused the ADC of exploiting Buhari’s death for political attention.
“The latest outburst from the African Democratic Congress (ADC) regarding former President Buhari’s state burial is nothing but an opportunistic exercise in manufactured outrage — a laughable tantrum by a poorly amalgamated political contraption desperately clutching at straws for relevance it will never attain,” Dare stated.
The statement lambasted the ADC for what it termed “hollow, attention-seeking criticisms,” asserting that the party lacks the moral standing to question the Federal Government’s handling of national matters.
“This is not the first time the ADC — in its pitiful, stuttering attempts at reinvention — has embarrassed itself with hollow, attention-seeking criticisms and press releases. A party still grappling with an identity crisis presumes lecturing the President of the Federal Republic on governance, decorum, and public accountability. How utterly ridiculous.”
The Presidency dismissed ADC’s claim that the Tinubu-led government was politicising Buhari’s death, calling it “dishonest” and “an insult to millions of Nigerians.”
“Their latest press release, alleging that President Tinubu’s government is ‘exploiting’ the passing of former President Muhammadu Buhari for political gain, is not only dishonest — it is an insult to millions of Nigerians who genuinely mourn the loss of a statesman, and who watched the State Burial accorded Buhari with solemn respect and dignity,” the statement read.
It further turned the accusation around, stating: “Let it be said clearly: the ADC is the one exploiting Buhari’s death for political attention, not this government. They have chosen to dance on his grave for relevance.”
Taking aim at opposition figures, the Presidency also alleged that “From Atiku and El Rufai’s choreographed arrival in Daura — greeted with chants seeking to make political capital from the solemnity of the moment — to this disgraceful press statement, the ADC has shown itself to be utterly shameless.”
Dare emphasised that President Bola Tinubu’s government remains focused on its mandate, with significant progress already recorded in various sectors.
“For clarity, President Tinubu’s administration is neither desperate nor searching for cheap popularity. This government would rather allow its growing list of achievements to speak louder than the noisy irrelevance of groups like the ADC,” the statement noted.
Highlighting some of the administration’s milestones, the statement listed:
- Stabilisation of the naira and harmonisation of exchange rates
- Oil production increase to 1.7 million barrels per day
- Over 60% increase in FAAC allocations
- Restoration of salary and pension payments in 31 indebted states
- Decoupling of the naira from oil market volatility
- Restoration of electricity to neglected communities
- Major infrastructure projects across the country
- Rollout of the NELFUND student loan scheme benefitting 400,000 students
- Establishment of regional development commissions
- Launch of the Consumer Credit Scheme
“These are not press statements. These are results. Tangible, measurable, and ongoing. That is leadership,” Dare asserted.
The statement also ridiculed the internal crisis within the ADC, alleging the party is embroiled in multiple court cases and internal wrangling.
“If the ADC spent merely half the time it uses on press releases to handle issues from its disenchanted members, the party wouldn’t grapple with many legal problems. This party is consumed by internal squabbles, facing multiple court cases over its very existence, and reduced to issuing these baseless attacks to cling to the fringes of relevance,” Dare said.
Concluding, the statement declared, “Let it be said without equivocation: Nigerians are not fooled. No press statement — however venomous — can erase the facts of progress. President Tinubu honoured Buhari with dignity in death and continues to honour his legacy through hard work, not hollow words.
Governance continues, Nigeria is stable, and President Tinubu remains focused on delivering the Renewed Hope Agenda, not on dignifying the desperate antics of political scavengers.
Nigerians should ignore this political noise from an outfit gasping for attention.”
