The ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) has berated the opposition African Democratic Congress (ADC) for accusing President Bola Tinubu-led administration of exploiting the state burial accorded the late President Muhammadu Buhari for political gains. 

The opposition party, in a statement on Friday, picked holes in the state burial organized in honour of Buhari, describing it as an exploitative venture. 

APC National Publicity Secretary, Felix Morka, in a reaction on Saturday said the opposition party must have been shocked by the dignified state burial and the show of compassion and support for his bereaved family by the government and the people, describing the ADC’s criticism as “spooky, unconscionable,” and a reflection of its “duplicity and insensitivity.”

Dismissing the criticism Morka said: “ADC has showcased itself to be without any understanding of customary state practice, and lacking empathy and essential humanity. It has cut its own portrait as a party of mindless political dregs, a dump of Nigeria’s internally displaced politicians, ready to do or say anything in chase of attention but sinking itself deeper in quicksand of ignominy. 

“That the ADC is blowing up over the state burial of the late President only reflects the party’s duplicity and insensitivity. What would the ADC have had President Tinubu do? Deny the late President Buhari the honour of a befitting state burial? Withhold empathy and support for the bereaved former first family? As a party that can begrudge the dead, the ADC must surely disdain the living.

“It is unacceptable for the ADC to politicize a solemn moment of national grief, more so, as its senseless statement was issued during the week of national mourning for the late President. 

“The party’s reference to heartfelt gestures and activities of the government in honour of the late President as “exploitation” is beyond the pale.  It falls far outside the widest and wildest stretch of justifiable opposition politics. Clearly, the party and its villainous leaders have allowed their humanity to be corroded by desperation for inordinate and self-serving power.”

Eulogising Buhari, the ruling party said the late President lived a life of illustrious service to country as a soldier, military Head of State, a two-term democratically elected President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. 

The party stressed that “just a human being, a father, survived by a loving but grieving family worthy of our collective empathy and support at this difficult time. 

“President Bola Tinubu showed compassion and a deep sense of loss of a friend, close political associate, and predecessor. He demonstrated patriotism and leadership by overseeing and participating in honouring the late president who gave so much to our dear nation.”