- Obi said his visit to Daura was within the mourning period and burial attendance wasn’t the only sign of respect.
- He recalled Buhari’s words during campaign interactions, urging him to prioritise the well-being of poor Nigerians.
The presidential candidate of the Labour Party in the 2023 general election, Mr Peter Obi, has explained his absence at the burial of former president Muhammadu Buhari.
Obi said flight restrictions made it impossible for him to attend the ceremony held on Tuesday in Daura, Katsina State.
He spoke on Thursday shortly after paying a condolence visit to the family of the late president in Daura.
The former governor of Anambra State noted that air traffic was restricted due to the high number of dignitaries attending the burial.
“Yes, it was difficult to come here yesterday because there were no flights,” he said.
“Even if you have a flight, you can’t land at Katsina Airport. It was all closed because there were a lot of dignitaries.”
Obi explained that his visit was still within the mourning window, insisting that respect for the dead goes beyond burial attendance.
“And it is believed that the mourning continues today and tomorrow,” he said.
“Whoever comes today or tomorrow is still part of the mourning.”
He said his decision to visit Daura despite the challenges was driven by his respect for the late president.
“I had the opportunity of meeting him while I was campaigning, and I remember his words to this day: ‘Please care for the poor Nigerians.’ That’s what I always remember,” he said.
“And I believe he did his best within his capacity.
“I remember vividly his sincere appeal for fighting and caring for the poor.”
Obi described Buhari’s death as a reminder of the inevitability of death and the need for selfless service to the country.
“We all have to learn how to serve our country, knowing that one day we will be called back by our creator,” he said.
Buhari died in London on Sunday and was buried with full military honours on Tuesday in his hometown.
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