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By Myke Agunwa
The presidential candidate of Labour Party (LP) in the 2023 elections, Peter Obi, has paid a condolence visit to the family of late former President, Muhammadu Buhari in Daura, Katsina State.
Obi who was sighted alongside former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar, Ex-Kaduna State Governor, Mallam Nasiru El-Rufai, and other dignitaries on Wednesday, signed the condolence register and participated in prayers and other activities in honour of the late former President.
Speaking with journalists after signing the register, Obi said he could not attend the burial ceremony on Tuesday because of flight landing restrictions at the Katsina airport.
He said, “Yes, it was difficult to come here yesterday because there were no flights.
“Even if you had a flight, you couldn’t land at Katsina Airport. It was all closed because of the number of dignitaries attending the burial.”
The former Anambra State governor, however, stressed that paying respects to the dead transcends the day of burial, noting that his visit was still within the traditional mourning period.
“It is believed that the mourning continues today and tomorrow. Whoever comes today or tomorrow is still part of the mourning,” he said.
Recalling the last moments he shared with the late Buhari Obi continued,
“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.
“And I believe he did his best within his capacity. I remember vividly his sincere appeal for fighting and caring for the poor.”
Reflecting on Buhari’s passing, Obi said the former president’s death serves as a solemn reminder of the transient nature of power and life itself.
“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 who died on Sunday at a private clinic in London after a protracted illness, was buried on Tuesday in Daura, according to Islamic rites. He was a political arrowhead in the north who identified with the ‘talakawas’ and had massive political followership. He was both a military Head of State and a democratically elected President.
His remains were interred at 5:50pm following a funeral prayer led by the Imam of the Central Mosque in Daura, Sheikh Salisu Rabiu.
In a final act of military honor, Army Generals and Service Chiefs carried Buhari’s coffin to the graveside, where a 21-gun salute echoed across Daura, closing the final chapter of his public life.
The state burial led by President Bola Tinubu was attended by Vice President Kashim Shettima, African presidents, state governors, members of the cabinet, members of the diplomatic community, the political class and a mammoth crowd.