Presidential hopeful and Labour Party chieftain, Peter Obi, on Wednesday, July 16, finally visited the family of late President Muhammadu Buhari in Daura, Katsina State — a full day after the former Nigerian leader was buried. His absence at the main funeral event triggered widespread backlash from Nigerians. Obi, however, blamed his delayed condolence visit on logistical constraints, particularly the unavailability of flights to the North on Tuesday.
Obi, who lost the 2023 presidential election to President Bola Tinubu, was among the key national figures expected to pay final respects at the high-profile funeral of Buhari, who passed away on Sunday in a London hospital.
During the visit, Obi addressed the backlash that trailed his non-appearance, saying:
“It was difficult for me to get to Daura yesterday. There was no flight. But mourning doesn’t end with burial — coming today still counts.”
His comment comes after many Nigerians accused him of insensitivity, especially given his well-publicised attendance at the Pope’s funeral in Rome earlier this year. Online critics drew comparisons, saying his absence at Buhari’s burial signaled misplaced priorities.
While speaking to the grieving family, Obi described the late president as “a man who contributed to Nigeria’s political history, despite the deep divides over his leadership style and policies.” He added that showing respect post-burial was still meaningful in line with both tradition and humanity.
Obi’s delayed presence didn’t go unnoticed. Former presidential aide Reno Omokri lashed out at him on social media. In a sharp Facebook post, Omokri said:
“Peter Obi was so shocked at Buhari’s death that he gave a political interview 24 hours later, lobbying for the 2027 ticket. I’ve never seen that type of grief before. Once a Gbajue, always a Gbajue!”
Omokri’s scathing remarks added fuel to the online outrage, with many questioning whether Obi’s absence was more political than logistical.
The drama intensified when, just days earlier in Kaduna, a fiery prayer session by Islamic scholar Sheikh Alkali Salihu Zaria took center stage. With Obi seated among the audience, Sheikh Zaria boldly called on God to “bring down every corrupt leader destroying Nigeria’s future.”
The powerful prayer, captured in a now-viral video, stirred deep emotions online. While some hailed it as timely and divine, others noted that Obi, often perceived as “different,” might have been caught in the crossfire.
Obi’s visit to Daura may have come late, but it has reopened conversations around political sincerity, symbolism in mourning, and how much optics matter in the game of power.
As 2027 slowly approaches, every handshake, silence, and missed funeral will likely come under scrutiny — especially for a man vying to lead a deeply divided nation still grappling with the legacy of its departed leaders.
