The Presidency has strongly responded to claims by the African Democratic Congress (ADC), describing the party’s accusation that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is using the death of former President Muhammadu Buhari for political image-laundering as “shameless” and “obnoxious.”
In a statement issued Saturday, Special Adviser to the President on Media and Public Communications, Mr. Sunday Dare, condemned the ADC and its key figures for “disrespecting Buhari and dancing on his grave for relevance.”
“Let it be said clearly: the ADC is the one exploiting Buhari’s death for political attention, not this government,” the statement read. “From Atiku and El-Rufai’s staged arrival in Daura — welcomed by chants aimed at milking the solemn occasion — to this disgraceful press release, the ADC has shown itself to be utterly shameless.”
The Presidency dismissed the ADC’s remarks as nothing more than a “laughable tantrum” and a desperate bid for attention.
“This isn’t the first time the ADC, in its weak and faltering attempts at relevance, has embarrassed itself with empty criticisms. A party battling an identity crisis should not presume to lecture the President of the Federal Republic on leadership or public conduct. It’s laughable,” Dare said.
Contrary to the ADC’s allegations, the Presidency insisted that President Tinubu handled the mourning period with dignity and due respect for the late President.
“The burial of former President Buhari was marked with the honour due a leader of his calibre. World leaders paid their respects, millions of Nigerians watched across various platforms, and ironically, even ADC promoters were in Daura, parading around the Buhari compound like overeager estate agents scouting new ground,” the statement noted.
Highlighting President Tinubu’s achievements, the statement cited key milestones such as the stabilisation of the naira, increased oil production, a 60% rise in FAAC allocations, restoration of electricity in neglected communities, and major infrastructure projects including the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway, the Ogbia-Nembe Road, and the Sokoto-Badagry Road.
It also mentioned progress in social investment programs such as student loans under the NELFUND scheme (benefiting 400,000 young Nigerians), creation of regional development commissions, and the launch of Nigeria’s first Consumer Credit Scheme.
“These are not empty press releases. These are real results — tangible, measurable, and ongoing. That is leadership,” Dare said.
The Presidency described the ADC as a troubled “political contraption,” consumed by internal crises and legal battles, and said the party is now “clinging to the fringes of relevance through baseless attacks.”
Concluding, Dare stated: “Let it be said without equivocation: Nigerians are not fooled. No amount of venomous press statements can erase the facts of progress. President Tinubu honoured Buhari in death with dignity and continues to honour his legacy through action, not rhetoric.”
The Presidency urged Nigerians to ignore what it called “political noise from a party gasping for attention,” affirming that President Tinubu remains committed to delivering the Renewed Hope Agenda.
