Presidency to ADC: You’re grappling with identity crisis

• Dismisses party’s criticism over Buhari’s state burial

From Juliana Taiwo-Obalonye, Abuja

The presidency has dismissed the African Democratic Congress (ADC’s) recent criticisms of former President Muhammadu Buhari’s state burial, describing the party’s statement as “an opportunistic exercise in manufactured outrage” and a desperate attempt for relevance.

In a strongly worded press release, Special Adviser to the President on Media and Public Communications, Sunday Dare, accused the ADC of issuing hollow and attention-seeking critiques. He said the party is “still grappling with an identity crisis” and mocked its “pitiful, stuttering attempts at reinvention,” calling it “utterly ridiculous” that the ADC would lecture the President of Nigeria on governance and decorum.

Dare further condemned the ADC’s allegation that President Bola Tinubu’s administration is “exploiting” Buhari’s death for political gain as dishonest and insulting to millions of Nigerians who mourned the late leader.

“Let it be said clearly: the ADC is the one exploiting Buhari’s death for political attention, not this government. They have chosen to dance on his grave for relevance,” he stated.

He also referenced the presence of Atiku Abubakar and Nasir El Rufai in Daura, the hometown of the late president, describing their arrival as a “choreographed” event aimed at making political capital from a solemn moment.

He described the ADC’s actions as “utterly shameless” and rejected any notion that the Tinubu administration is desperate for popularity.

Highlighting the achievements of the current government, Dare cited improvements such as the stabilization of Fund the naira, increased oil production to 1.7 million barrels per day, a 60 per cent rise in Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC) allocations, resolution of state salary payment issues, restored electricity to neglected communities, and major infrastructure projects, including the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway and Sokoto-Badagry Road. He also mentioned initiatives like the historic student loan scheme through Nigerian Education Loan (NELFUND) and the launch of a Consumer Credit Scheme aimed at fostering a credit-based economy while tackling corruption.

“These are not press statements. These are results. Tangible, measurable and ongoing. That is leadership,” Dare asserted.

He accused the ADC of offering Nigerians “absolutely nothing” beyond “sanctimonious whining,” noting its internal conflicts and multiple court cases threaten its very existence.

“Nigerians are not fooled. No press statement—however venomous—can erase the facts of progress.”

Dare affirmed that President Tinubu honoured Buhari “with dignity in death” and continues to uphold his legacy through “hard work, not hollow words.”