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Tag: BUHARI

  • Buhari to Christian group: Your prayers will make us victorious

    President Muhammadu Buhari on Friday played host to the leadership of Cherubim and Seraphim Unification Church of Nigeria at State House, Abuja, commending the group for upholding the administration and the government in prayers, particularly as the general elections approach.

    He said “I am very grateful for this visit. God will answer our prayers. With your prayers, we will go into the field, and be victorious.

    “Your good intentions and prayers are appreciated. This is what is expected of institutions working for God.” he said

    Buhari, in a statement by the Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina, said he was glad that the church lauded the good work being done by government in the areas of infrastructure, anti-corruption, and security.

    “It will encourage us to do more. We have no other country than Nigeria, and we must do the best for her. I said it more than a generation ago. Thank you for identifying with our objectives.” he said

    Leader of the delegation, His Most Eminence, Prophet (Dr) Solomon Adegboyega Alao, told President Buhari to remain resolute, particularly in the war against corruption.

    He said: “We anticipate that corruption, which is killing Nigeria, may fight back, but you will prevail because majority of Nigerians are with you.”

    The visitors asked the President to use his good offices to ensure the release of Leah Sharibu, being held captive by Boko Haram for refusing to renounce her faith; canvassed a level playing field for the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to conduct free and fair polls; and a consideration of the clamour for restructuring of the Federation.

    Speaking with State House correspondents at the end of the meeting, the Spiritual Father of the Cherubim and Seraphim Movement Church Worldwide Prophet Samuel Abidoye said “To see our president and to wish him a pleasant 2019. And to offer our own suggestions on how to govern the country because if he succeeds we will all succeed and to offer him our prayers.

    On the advise given to the President, he said “First of all we are aware that Mr. President is very passionate about credible and fair elections, we assured him that we will back him up to that extent.

    “We told him to pursue the Anti-Corruption vigorously we assured him that we will back him up on that. Corruption is killing Nigeria and we know unless we kill corruption very urgently it will destroy this country. We assured him of our support at all times.

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    “For the coming elections, we urge Nigerians to go and obtain their PVC and come out and vote for the candidate of their choice and avoid anything that could lead to violence. And to pray for the umpire, INEC so that they will give us credible elections.

    “For the economy of the country to grow, we need to cooperate with the government. For those who feel the golden flee is abroad, there is nothing abroad, Nigeria s the best county anybody can have, we should stay back and salvage it together” he stated

    Established in 1925, the Cherubim and Seraphim Unification Church of Nigeria is an umbrella body of all Cherubim and Seraphim Churches founded in Nigeria and in the Diaspora.

     

  • Buhari to APC loyalists: double your efforts to win 2019 elections

    PRESIDENT Muhammadu Buhari has urged members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) to double their efforts to ensure a resounding victory for the ruling party at the forthcoming elections.

    He gave the advice yesterday at the inauguration of the Women and Youth Presidential Campaign Team at the old Banquet Hall of the State House in Abuja.

    The President also urged them to intensify their door-to-door campaign to remind Nigerians why the administration should be given a second term.

    He said: “The Women and Youth Presidential Campaign Team being inaugurated today was constituted to support the Presidential Campaign Council which I chair. This shows the importance with which we view the role of women and youths as the backbone of the electorate.

    “As such, they should be the drivers of our campaign. More so, they are the major direct and indirect beneficiaries of our social investment programmes.

    “In carrying out this assignment, I expect, from members of this team, the same loyalty and support which you exhibited in 2015. Let us remind Nigerians about our plans, our good work and achievements; tell the people why they should give us another four years.

    “Our dream is to sustain CHANGE so that all systemic distortions can be corrected and we can enjoy the fruits of being Nigerians under the banner of freedom. It is also our hope that our unborn children will inherit a better nation.”

    Commending members of the party for their unwavering support and commitment, he said: “I call on them to redouble their efforts and re-elect us in February, so that they can witness the next level of CHANGE.

    “To all Nigerians, I appreciate your love and support. I hope you will renew the mandate you overwhelmingly gave us in 2015. Please do not be distracted, our country is on course.”

    Reminding the gathering of his administration’s numerous landmarks, President Buhari said: “And the CHANGE remains unshaken and continues until we return Nigeria on track to assume its rightful place among the comity of nations.

    “I am very pleased to inaugurate the Women and Youth Presidential Campaign Team. I charge you to reach out to all Nigerians door-to-door and remind them why we need another four years.”

    Speaking earlier, the Director, Strategic Communications of the APC Presidential Campaign Council, Festus Keyamu, said that Nigerians today have seen the difference between President Buhari’s administration and past PDP governments.

    That, he said, was made possible in the character and integrity of President Muhammadu Buhari.

    Stressing that the PDP has nothing to campaign about, he urged APC members not to rest on its oars.

    The Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Customs Service, Hameed Ali, who is a member of the team’s Advisory Council, urged party members to campaign door-to-door in order to allow people know what the administration has achieved.

    “We have done a lot. We must save this country from looters, he stated

    House of Representatives member and spokesman to the team Abdulmumin Jibrin noted that “it is only in Nigeria that those who have destroyed the system will dream of coming back.

    He, however, expressed optimism that by the grace of God, President Buhari will win and continue the good work he has started.

  • ‘Election will be a referendum on Buhari’

    The National Publicity Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Kola Ologbondiyan spoke with reporters in Lagos on the Buhari administration, the presidential aspiration of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, preparations for next month’s election and factors that will shape the exercise. Group Political Editor EMMANUEL OLADESU was there.

    What is the chance of your party in the general elections?

    As a party, we are worried by the level of hunger in Nigeria today. We are worried  by the level of starvation across the land. We are also troubled at the level of division, insecurity and bloodletting across the nation.  We have taken on the APC and President Buhari on three key promises they made to Nigerians during the last election. They promised to revive the economy but the losses of jobs that we have experienced and the cost of living that has gone up astronomically has demonstrated to all of us that President Buhari has not fulfill his promise about reviving the economy. Two, he promised to fight corruption  and he is seen as Mr Integrity but it is very worrisome that  President Buhari is not fighting corruption but busy fighting perceived enemies  and possible opponents in the 2019 elections.

    We in the PDP believe that while we were in government,  we have situations where senators, Reps members, governors and even a Senate President was not only investigated and subjected to trial, we even have an instance where a sibling of a former president was arrested.  But, what do we find in the current circumstance? The Chief of Staff who is the closest person in terms of administration to Mr  President was accused of collecting bribes as we speak today, he has not been investigated or subjected to trial. The former SGF, Babachir Lawal was accused of cutting grass with over N200m in the North East where our fellow Nigerians were victims of insurgency; the same insurgency that President Buhari promised to come and fight. As we speak today, they are just playing games, no arraignment and no trials.

    Just recently, the House of Reps indicted the Vice- President in its report on corruption in NEMA and yet they are talking to us about fighting corruption.  We have challenged the National Assembly to open all the books in the Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) and what they will find there, we will discover that in the history of our nation, no administration has been as corrupt as this government.

    The President also promised that he will fight insurgency but the worst of it is that under his watch, insurgents now attack our military base killing our soldiers. Yes, insurgency started when PDP was in government but the insurgents were attacking soft spots where we have civilians but now it is worrisome that the insurgents have become so emboldened that they now go to military formations and attacks our soldiers.

    The worst part of it was that the President’s wife, Aisha Buhari came out publicly and declare to Nigerians that only two persons are running the affairs of governance. I don’t there can be any other testimony against this APC government than that.  This definitely tells us the fact that we all know that the President is not in charge. So, is it those two people that we are going to vote for in 2019?

    Why do you think your candidate is the best man for the job?

    We believe that we need a president who has got the experience, a candidate who understands our nuances as a people and as a nation. A president who in the past when he had the opportunity has demonstrated capacity as a job provider and a good manager of the economy and even after he left office, he has continued to create wealth and we believe strongly that that is the kind of president that our nation truly needs today and that is what our presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar represents

    What is the difference between the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and All Progressives Congress (APC) as those that left APC went to the PDP?

    The difference between the PDP and APC is very manifest. The PDP believes in democracy and its tenets,; we stand by the rule of law, social justice and respect for constitutionalism. We also believe in creating an enabling environment that will allow private enterprises to thrive. As such, we encourage private investors to create jobs, so that life can be better for the people. But, I must confess to you that the APC, unfortunately is just an amalgam of people contended with the existence of governance. They have no ideology and have nothing to offer Nigerians. They are power mongers looking for power and they chased out the PDP government through propaganda, through lies and through deception. They do not have any plan whatsoever in any form to govern and to govern in a particular direction. That is why we have challenged them to name one idea they conceived, planned and implemented. There is none. Where is the ‘Change begins with me’ they promised? They do not have ideas for governance and without ideas, you cannot rule, you cannot govern. In terms of ideology, they disrespect the court. We all know in Nigeria when they woke up one night and went round residences of judges. You know the number of times former National Security Adviser (NSA), Colonel Sambo Dasuki (rdt) has been granted bail, but they did not release him inspite of court orders. They have no respect for court orders; they have no respect for constitutionalism. So, when you talk of ideology, I believe that the PDP has ideology and because it is a democratic party, it follows the tenets of democracy, but I don’t know the ideology of the APC.

    One of the issues on the front burner  the economy. How will your party fix the economy if it gets to power?

    The PDP believes that the only way to revive the economy is to allow the economy to be private driven and the job of governance is to create an enabling environment that will allow businesses to thrive. We have experimented government running businesses and we have experimented a situation where private investors are given an enabling environment to thrive and we have seen where it has taken us. NITEL was running the telecommunications sector, but GSM operators were allowed to run the sector and we have seen where it has taken us.

    There are feelers that all is not well within the PDP, especially in the South-South and South-East. Is there a problem in the party and what effort is being made to address it? Again, there is also insinuation that some governors in the South-East are secretly planning to work for President Muhammadu Buhari in the 2019 elections. How do you react to that?

    I find it strange that any member of the PDP will pledge a particular percentage of votes for President Buhari. If that is true, it confirms our fears that there are plans to rig the 2019 elections by writing figures. You cannot determine a percentage of votes that will go in any direction in a free, fair and credible election. You do not know the mindset of every voter. All I know is that the governors on the platform of the PDP are supporting our candidate. That is a known fact. Why should our governors vote for President Buhari? What will be the reason? Is it that the people, who are members of our party, are not Nigerians?

    Why do you think that any member of our party will not work for the President?

    You see, it is a game of the ruling party, they know that they have been abandoned by Nigerians. They know that the lies and contraptions they used in 2015 are no longer working for them because Nigerians have seen through them. So, they are looking for help because they know that they are a drowning party. They will say anything just to create disaffection and seek to cause crisis within our party and with our candidate. We can see clearly that Nigerians are rallying round our candidate.

    Your party’s national chairman recently alleged that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) is being used to witch-hunt PDP governors…

    Our governors in the last three and a half years have suffered untoward embarrassment from this administration. They have been harassed, they have been intimidated, but I want you to know that they cannot be intimidated to do such things. The PDP governors are determined and they will continue to support the party.

    How do you respond to INEC’s decision to conduct elections in Internally Dispaced Camps (IDPs) and what is your take on the commission’s preparation for the elections?

    We have made our position on the IDPs very clear. We are opposed to any situation that will grant INEC the powers to create new polling units under the guise of creating them for IDPs. Nigeria, as a country has been delineated to 120,000 polling units and as such, any area in this country has its own polling unit. So, what we are seeing is this, if there are IDPs in Ikeja for instance, what they need do is to allow the IDPs to transfer to the area where they are currently staying. There is no need to create an additional 30,000 polling units because it will amount to rigging. We have also said that we are aware that the contraption, which took place in Osun State during the governorship election, was done in INEC’s situation room, where it was clear that in the transmitted results, PDP won, but they decided to manipulate the process. We have credible information and we have given it to our party in respect of this.What we are saying is that since President has refused to sign the amended Electoral Act, which provided for transmission of results electronically, INEC should allow observers to participate or monitor the results in the situation room. So, speaking generally, what we have said and insisting on is that we will not allow rigging in the 2019 general elections. We will burst every rigging plan of the APC and the President. It is manifestly evident that Buhari cannot win the 2019 election because Nigerians have resolved, wholesomely that they will not vote for him and that they will not vote for the APC. So, on account of that, we will check INEC and ensure that they guarantee an election that will be free, fair, credible and transparent, and as well accepted by the majority of Nigerians.

  • Buhari to Labour: Allow us continue to fix infrastructure

    President Muhammadu Buhari has called on Labour Unions to allow his administration concentrate on fixing infrastructure in the country rather than distracting it.

    He made the remark while playing host to the Executive Committee of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) in the State House, Abuja.

    Buhari, in a statement by the Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina, said “In three and a half years, we have improved tremendously on what we met. We are trying to do infrastructure.

    “No matter which part of the country you come from, you will see the efforts we are making in terms of roads; we are trying to fix rails, we are trying to do power, through the use of gas and solar. If you note what we have done in these three and a half years, you will not regret voting this administration into power.”
    President Buhari also said that Nigeria was doing very well in agriculture as the country was about to attain food sufficiency and security.

    While calling on the students to continue to plead with the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), the President assured that he will speak with the lecturers’ body “so that they don’t encroach on your efforts to qualify in time.”

    President Buhari said that he had explained in details while presenting the 2019 budget estimates, the earnings and expenditure and therefore expected the elite to understand the position of the government on certain issues, adding that it is the responsibility of the government to look after the employed as well as the unemployed.

    The President urged the youths to start preparing themselves to lead the country.

    He said “There is a tendency for you to think that you can do better than anybody, but it is very good for you to know the facts that leadership entails.”
    He assured Labour leaders that, having been in positions of leadership at various stages in life, and with the experience, he means well for Nigerians and indeed, workers, and should be allowed to fix infrastructure so that more Nigerians could be taken out of the poverty cycle.

    “I am totally loyal to this country. Whatever I do is in the interest of the ordinary people especially those who do not have the benefit of being educated like you, and are just trusting whoever is leading them,” he said.

    Read Also: Police parade suspects for murder, cultism in Osun

    Buhari expressed gratitude to the students for appreciating some of the things his administration has been able to put in place and called on them to mobilise support for government, as it strives to make Nigeria a better place.

    Speaking earlier, the students, led by the president, Comrade Danielson Bamidele Akpan, had expressed appreciation of the efforts of the administration, especially in the transformation of the transportation sector as well as the decimation of terrorists in the Northeast.

    They, however, requested the government to intervene in the incessant strikes in the education sector; involve more youths in governance, and look into the plight of students in different institutions who have been expelled for ‘political’ reasons.

  • Insecurity: I’m ready to quit as gov – Yari

    *Says insecurity won’t affect elections

     

    The Zamfara State Governor, Abdulaziz Yari, on Thursday said that if declaration of state of emergency in his state will solve the security problems, he is ready to quit as governor.

    He spoke with State House correspondents after a closed-door meeting with President Muhammadu Buhari at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

    Noting that the security situation in the state has improved, he said the bandits responsible for the insecurity breed their cattle in the forest and strike occasionally.

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    He also accused the security agencies especially the police of not doing enough, lamenting that some of the officers that were transferred out of the state after serving three years have not been replaced.

    According to him, the lingering cases of armed banditry in the state won’t affect the forthcoming election.

    While stating that he met the President over the security situation in the state, he said the issue of the armed banditry was being exaggerated.

    “There is no place being occupied by the armed bandits in Zamfara state. They live and operate in the forest. They strike and run. Most of the camps are known by locals,” he said.

    On his support for declaration of emergency in Zamfara, he said he was not playing politics with it, saying ” I’m not playing politics with it. I’m serious about it.”

    Asked whether he discussed the declaration of emergency with Buhari, he said, ” not at all.“

  • Ashafa to constituents: vote Buhari, other APC candidates

    SENATOR representing Lagos East Gbenga Ashafa has urged his constituents to ensure same spirit of continuity of effective representation in the senatorial district, the state and at the federal level.

    Consequently, he urged his constituents to cast their votes in the general elections for the candidates of All Progressives Congress (APC) – from President Muhammadu Buhari and across board.

    In a new year message he issued yesterday, Ashafa said: “Since the inception of the current administration in 2015, President Muhammadu Buhari and Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, SAN have set to work trying to correct the monumental flaws in our polity.

    “This government has brought us out of a recession foisted upon us due to years of monumental failure in governance at the centre.

    “Gradually but surely, the Buhari administration has focused on completing critical infrastructure projects across the country with particular focus on rail, agriculture, power, works and housing as well as the fight against insurgency and corruption amongst others.

    “Social investment programmes are thriving and delivering the dividends of democracy to the people that need it the most through the market money programme, school feeding programme, stipends for the poor, and other social capital initiatives.

    “For the first time in a long while, Nigerians have returned to ferrying people, goods and services on our revamped railway routes with several others nearing completion, like the Lagos to Ibadan standard gauge line to be completed in 2019.”

    In Lagos State, the senator said: “Governor Akinwunmi Ambode has consolidated on the work done by his predecessors, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Mr. Babatunde Raji Fashola SAN in ensuring that Lagos State remains the leading light and centre of excellence. Now the baton is about to be passed to Mr. Babajide Sanwoolu, who has a proven track record of service and reform.”

  • 2019: Obaseki mobilises support for Buhari

    Edo State Governor Godwin Obaseki has called on Nigerians to sustain the achievements and progress recorded by the President Muhammadu Buhari-led administration in the last four years with their votes.

    Obaseki spoke at the Cathedral Church of St. John, Diocese of Sabongida-Ora Anglican Communion, Owan West Local Government yesterday.

    The governor said a vote for the All Progressives Congress (APC) would enable the President continue his work of developing the nation.

    “We must understand that Nigeria faces major challenges, but we are on course as we have done quite a lot of work in the last four years.

    “We need to sustain the work we are doing by voting for APC to ensure that the development continues,” he said.

    The governor said the demographic growth of the population of the nation was alarming with the attendant challenges.

    He, however, said the President was equal to the task in creating opportunities and empowering people.

    Obaseki said his administration was investing in basic education, primary health care and agriculture to attract industries to the state.

    “I want to assure the people that I will make life possible for the people.”

    In his sermon, “Our Year of Divine Expansion,” Rev. Augustine Ohilebo, Bishop of Diocese of Sabongida-Ora, said Christians would not enjoy God’s blessings without personal relationship with Him.

    “If you are outside the camp of God, you are prone to danger. Sin hinders your relationship with God and limits your expansion.

    “For you to experience divine expansion, you need to get in contact with God,” he admonished Christians.

    Reading from Isaiah Chapter 1, Verse 18, he urged Christians to repent from their wicked ways and trust the Lord for His provisions in 2019.

    “To experience divine expansion, you should enlarge your capacity in service to God; attendance to church, paying of tithes, prayers and giving to the work of God.

    He also said the country would not divide, saying “anyone or group of persons who want the Nigeria to divide will not succeed.’’

  • Southeast forum promises Buhari one million votes 

    A socio-political organisation, Southeast Peoples Consultative Parliament (SEPCP), has promised to give President Muhammadu Buhari one million votes in February.

    The group vowed to ensure Buhari returned to Aso Rock.

    SEPCP’s Presidential-General Udo Mba Agoha, who spoke at Umukabia, home of the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate, Ikechi Emenike, said the group would ensure Buhari’s success at the poll.

    Agoha said it was high time Ndigbo embraced President Buhari, who had shown love for Southeast, as demonstrated by his appointment of Igbo running mates in his three previous attempts at the presidential poll.

    The group said it came together to review the brand of “self-destructive” politics played by Ndigbo, and decided to reverse the trend by mobilising the people to support the Buhari-led government.

    Agoha said: “We’re here to let people know that for Ndigbo to have the Presidency, we must work with the present government. If we support President Buhari, he will definitely support us in 2023, but if we are confrontational, it will not work for us.”

    He frowned at the misconception that Buhari did not love Ndigbo, saying the truth remained that Mr. President had consistently offered himself as a true friend of Southeast, hence he appointed Chuba Okadigbo, Edwin Umezeoke and Senator Obi as running mates in 2003, 2007, and 2011.

    “We must do something outstanding to remove that suspicion that Ndigbo will not reciprocate Buhari’s love for them. The only way to disabuse the minds of the detractors of Ndigbo is to support Mr. President with massive votes at the poll.

    “Supporting President Buhari guarantees us a short cut to the Presidency, as we have no other choice than to support him for us to get what we want; we should not allow people of little minds to deceive us.”

    Emenike, while receiving the delegation, said he was delighted with the group for setting out to pursue a goal which is for the interest of Ndigbo. The candidate noted that the political equation of Nigeria is such that the Southeast should not be found wanting in the power structure. He added that if the zone failed to support President Buhari, it would amount to self-marginalisation.

    According to him, Ndigbo had a lot to gain by backing the  President’s re-election, warning that it would be disastrous for the zone if after Buhari wins the 2019 Presidency, they were found wanting in making significant electoral contribution.

    He warned that Ndigbo should no longer listen to propaganda that Buhari does not have the interest of Ndigbo at heart as Mr. President has continued to demonstrate in practical terms his love for the Southeast.

  • 2019: Buhari will win In over 30 States, Ajulo Assures

    Renowned Human Rights Lawyer and Secretary of Forward With Buhari (FWB), Dr. Kayode Ajulo has declared that the All Progressives Congress, APC, Presidential candidate, President Muhammadu Buhari will clear out votes in over 30 states of the federation in the February 16 polls.
    Dr. Ajulo gave the assurance in an  interview basing his predictions on well-researched information gathered on the field ahead of the 2019 general elections.
    The group had earlier explained that the initiative of its formation was aimed at checkmating vote rigging across the nation in the 2019 presidential elections, further claimed that President Buhari’s main challenger, Atiku Abubakar will not win even in his State, Adamawa.

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    Also asked about how many votes the group intends to garner for the incumbent president, Ajulo had this to say:
    “We intend to give Buhari maximum votes, what distinguishes us is that as an Independent Campaign Group, our members cut across the various parties and interest groups and with the coordination of the Governors as inspired by Governor Abdulaziz Yari of Zamfara state, we have penetrated all the 36 States, 774 Local Governments, 8, 809 Wards, and the entire 119, 973 polling units in Nigeria.
    Our formulae are solid, the governors, political and community leaders hold the ace in this election and we will back them to make the re-election a success. 

“We have also found out too, although I won’t like to reveal most of our strategies, as only a retard Army General that doesn’t understand his commission would reveal his strategy. We want to ensure that those who have not been voting are encouraged to vote, and in that way discourage voters apathy. “In most of the previous general election only 30-35 per cent of the registered voters who have permanent voters cards voted. “Where are the other 70 per cent or there about? It is our duty to look for them, go for them and ensure that they vote.”
    The astute legal practitioner who was criticized in some quarters for rooting for President Buhari also clarified his status in the ruling party and his main objectives for supporting Mr. President in the forthcoming polls.
    “Moreover, Like, I (Kayode Ajulo) speaking, I am not a card carry member of APC till today. I am not in APC. “As you know, I voluntarily resigned as National Secretary of Labour Party and I’m yet to declare for APC, this I can’t do alone, I can’t join any party under the table and anytime I’m ready, I won’t be alone but with all those that believe in me. It would be done with pomp and pageantry such occasion deserves.
    “But when it comes to this Project to re-elect Buhari, I consider myself as No. 1 of those behind him. That really raises one fundamental revelation, and that is for you to know that the number of people rooting and agitating that Buhari should be re-elected as President are more than the members of APC. Please do your research,” Ajulo said.
    “Forward With Buhari is a deliberate composition of professionals, Politicians, unionists, civil societies and dynamic young people, I’m from Labour background, it’s solidarity themed, hence Forward With Buhari as we use to say, Forward For Ever!
    Our name is to show our determination.”

  • PDP hits Buhari for not attending Shagari’s burial

     

    The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has knocked President Muhammadu Buhari for not attending the burial of former President Shehu Shagari in Sokoto on Saturday.

    The main opposition party said Buhari’s absence at the funeral, particularly regarding Shagari’s status, as the first Executive President of the country, was unpardonable and a very wrong precedence in national protocol.

    A statement on Monday by the spokesman for the PDP, Kola Ologbondiyan, said Buhari’s absence at the burial has also sent a wrong signal to the international community on the country’s national values and respect for its patriots.

    The PDP noted Vice President Yemi Osinbajo was also absent at Shagari’s burial and that the Federal Government has taken no concrete steps to give a state honour to the late former President.

    The party described the directive by President Buhari for the nation’s flag to fly half-mast for just three days in honour of Shagari as belated.

    It also knocked the President for visiting the Shagari family in Sokoto after the burial.

    “Sadly, while our beloved President Shagari was at the National Hospital Abuja, passing through his last moments on this realm, President Buhari was busy at his campaign rally in Uyo, Akwa-Ibom State, boasting of how he, as military head of state, sacked the Second Republic, arrested and locked up President Shehu Shagari and his officials, in clear violation of our nation’s constitution.

    “Such disdain on our respected national figure by President Buhari is completely unpresidential.

    “Finally, the PDP once again condoles with the Shagari family, the government and people of Sokoto state, the National Council of State and the entire nation for this very huge national loss”.