The 2023 Labour Party (LP) presidential candidate, Peter Obi, has explained his absence from the funeral of former President Muhammadu Buhari, citing unforeseen logistical challenges that prevented him from making the trip to Daura, Katsina State.
In a statement posted on his official Facebook page on Wednesday, Obi said he had intended to attend the burial ceremony but was unable to do so after traveling to Ijebu-Ode, Ogun State, to pay a condolence visit to the family of the late Awujale of Ijebuland.
“Yesterday morning, after a condolence visit to the family of the late Awujale of Ijebuland in Ijebu Ode, I tried to be in Daura, Katsina State, to attend the burial of our late President Muhammadu Buhari, but all my efforts proved abortive due to a logistical challenge beyond my control,” Obi wrote.
“I immediately sent a message to a member of late President Buhari’s family explaining my situation. He graciously replied that it was quite understandable, and I made a promise to come today.”
Obi came under criticism from some quarters over his absence at the burial, which was held on Tuesday, July 15, 2025. In response, he affirmed that he fulfilled his promise by visiting Daura on Wednesday, accompanied by Senators Ireti Kingibe, Okey Ezea, and Dr. Tanko Yunusa, the national coordinator of the Obidient Movement.
“Today, accompanied by Senators Ireti Kingibe, Okey Ezea, and Obidient National Coordinator Dr. Tanko Yunusa, I was in Daura with Vice President Shettima, Former Vice President Atiku, Senate President Akpabio, Governor Radda of Katsina, Governor Zulum of Borno State, and many other dignitaries to pay our last respects and console the family,” Obi wrote.
He also shared a personal memory from the 2022 campaign season, recalling an exchange with Buhari during a meeting.
“I recall vividly meeting with President Buhari in 2022 during my campaign. He said to me: ‘Peter, you seem to be everywhere and loved by the people. And I wish you the best, please, if you win, do not forget the poor.’ That moment has stayed with me, especially since his demise.”
Obi offered prayers for both the late President and the late Awujale, asking God to grant them eternal rest and comfort their families.
“May their legacies of service and dignity never be forgotten,” he added.
Obi joined other high-profile mourners at the Fidau prayer held in Buhari’s honour in Daura. Among those in attendance were Vice President Kashim Shettima, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai, Governor Dikko Radda of Katsina State, Governor Babagana Zulum of Borno State, and several national figures.
The funeral of President Muhammadu Buhari, who passed away on Sunday, July 13, 2025, at the age of 82 in a London hospital, was held on Tuesday. His body was received at Umaru Musa Yar’Adua International Airport in Katsina and laid to rest in his hometown of Daura at 5:50 p.m. in a solemn ceremony attended by President Bola Tinubu, former Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, Senate President Godswill Akpabio, and other dignitaries.
Buhari remains Nigeria’s second-longest-serving leader, having ruled as military head of state from 1984 to 1985, and later as a democratically elected president from 2015 to 2023.
