The Nigerian Presidency has fired back at the African Democratic Congress (ADC) over its recent accusation that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu exploited the state burial of former President Muhammadu Buhari for political gain.
The rebuttal, issued by former Minister of Youth and Sports, Sunday Dare, described the ADC’s claims as “manufactured outrage” and a “laughable tantrum” from a party struggling for relevance.
According to Dare, the ADC’s statement is an opportunistic attempt to attract public attention. He said the party’s criticisms are hollow and unsubstantiated, adding that it has consistently embarrassed itself with attention-seeking press releases.
He noted that the ADC, still battling an identity crisis, has no moral authority to lecture the President on governance or public accountability. He said the party frequently issues disjointed statements on national matters in a bid to remind Nigerians of its existence and portray itself as a credible opposition force.
Dare dismissed the ADC’s allegation that the Tinubu administration exploited Buhari’s death, calling it dishonest and insulting to Nigerians who genuinely mourned the late former president. He insisted that the burial was conducted with dignity and solemnity, befitting Buhari’s status as a former head of state.
He alleged that it is the ADC, not the Tinubu administration, that is politicizing the event, citing the party’s press release and the coordinated appearance of opposition figures in Daura as evidence of a political stunt.
Dare further stated that the administration is not desperate for popularity and prefers to let its achievements speak for themselves. He listed several accomplishments under President Tinubu’s leadership, including the stabilization of the naira, harmonization of exchange rates, increase in oil production, higher FAAC allocations, and restored electricity to neglected communities.
He also highlighted the completion of major infrastructure projects, the launch of the student loan scheme (NELFUND) benefiting about 400,000 students, and the rollout of the Consumer Credit Scheme aimed at building a credit-based economy and tackling corruption.
Dare questioned what the ADC has offered Nigerians besides what he described as “sanctimonious whining,” accusing the party of being consumed by internal crises and legal battles. He said its repeated attacks on the Presidency are merely attempts to remain relevant.
Concluding the statement, he asserted that Nigerians are not deceived by the ADC’s tactics, emphasizing that President Tinubu honoured Buhari with respect in death and continues to uphold his legacy through effective governance.
He reaffirmed that governance remains on course under President Tinubu, who is focused on delivering his Renewed Hope Agenda rather than engaging in what he termed the “desperate antics of political scavengers.”
Nigerians should ignore this political noise from an outfit gasping for attention.”
