A pro-democracy group, Democracy Watch Initiative (DWI), has strongly criticized former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai for what it described as “blatant political opportunism” during the funeral of former President Muhammadu Buhari in Daura, Katsina State.
In a statement issued in Abuja on Thursday, the group’s Director of Strategic Communication, Dr. Tunji O. Bamidele, accused the two political figures of using the solemn occasion to advance personal political interests, describing their conduct as a “shameless and unseemly spectacle.”
“Their actions, characterized by a shameless attempt to project themselves as genuine admirers and loyalists of a leader whose legacy they have historically opposed, are not only disingenuous but also an affront to the memory of President Buhari and the sentiments of the Nigerian people,” the statement read.
Dr. Bamidele said it was disheartening to see Atiku and El-Rufai “parading themselves at the funeral as though they owned the event,” alleging that the two were merely attempting to align themselves with Buhari’s enduring popularity to curry favour with northern voters ahead of the 2027 elections.
DWI further described Atiku as a “serial political defector” and “longtime adversary” of Buhari, noting his multiple party switches and long history of electoral rivalry with the late president. “Atiku’s shifting political alliances—from the PDP to the APC and back—have never been about principle, but about personal ambition,” Bamidele stated.
He also accused El-Rufai of using the occasion to whitewash a strained political past with the late president, warning that such behavior dishonors Buhari’s legacy.
“The northern electorate is not so easily deceived,” Bamidele warned. “The memories of their past betrayals and political machinations remain fresh, and no amount of public display can erase them.”
The group called on political leaders to engage in respectful discourse, urging them to honor the values President Buhari embodied—integrity, patriotism, and service to the people.
“We reject the attempts of Atiku Abubakar and Nasir El-Rufai to politicize the funeral of a beloved leader. Let us protect President Buhari’s legacy by fostering a political culture grounded in sincerity and respect, not opportunism,” the statement concluded.
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