Presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP) in the 2023 general elections, Peter Obi, has explained his absence at the burial of former President Muhammadu Buhari, which held on Tuesday in Daura, Katsina State.
Obi, whose absence drew criticism from some quarters, attributed his inability to attend the funeral to flight challenges and security-related airport restrictions in Katsina on the day of the burial.
Speaking to Arise TV, the former Anambra State governor said:
“It was difficult to come yesterday (Tuesday) because there was no flight. Even if there was a flight, you couldn’t land in Katsina Airport. It was all closed because there were a lot of dignitaries.”
Despite missing the main ceremony, Obi arrived in Daura on Wednesday to personally condole with the family of the late President.
He emphasized that his visit remained within the mourning window:
“Mourning continues until tomorrow. So, whoever comes today and tomorrow is still part of the mourning.”
Buhari, who served as Nigeria’s civilian president from 2015 to 2023, passed away in London on Sunday at the age of 82 after a brief illness.
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