The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has strongly condemned President Bola Tinubu's government, accusing it of exploiting the death of former President Muhammadu Buhari for political gain.
In a statement signed by its Interim National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, the ADC asserted that the Tinubu administration is desperately attempting to "whitewash its battered image" through "cynical and opportunistic" means.
The ADC specifically criticized the "choreographed Federal Executive Council (FEC) tribute" and the "publicised appearance" of Buhari's son, Yusuf, describing them as "a calculated public relations (PR) stunt by an unpopular government." The party highlighted the hypocrisy, noting that the same administration had spent over a year blaming Buhari for the nation's economic woes, only to now "perform public grief" to improve its standing, particularly in the North and among Buhari's supporters.
The statement further recalled how the Tinubu government had previously distanced itself from Buhari's policies, especially concerning fuel subsidy, the economy, and public sector management.
The ADC found it disingenuous for the current administration to now try and "cloak itself in the very legacy it once denounced."
"Grief is not a campaign strategy," the ADC declared, urging that the late President's family be allowed to mourn in peace rather than being drawn into a "political circus show."
The party emphasized that the Tinubu administration's actions are "hypocritical and in bad taste," stating, "You cannot spend months discrediting a man’s legacy only to turn around and perform grief for the cameras."
The ADC reminded Nigerians that since taking office, the Tinubu administration and its officials have "launched a relentless campaign to disown their predecessor’s policies."