Labour Party’s Presidential candidate in the 2023 elections, Peter Obi, has recalled what the departed President Muhammad Buhari told him.
He disclosed this while speaking to journalists shortly after a condolence visit to the Buhari’s family on Wednesday.
Recalled his past interactions with Buhari, particularly a meeting during his presidential campaign in which the departed leader urged him to focus on the welfare of Nigeria’s poor.
Obi said. “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.”
Also, He explained his absence at Buhari’s, citing flight restrictions as the reason for his inability to attend the ceremony in Daura on Tuesday.
He said efforts to attend the burial were hampered by a combination of unavailable flights and restricted air traffic to accommodate high-level dignitaries.
In the words of the former Anambra State governor, “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.”
Obi 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.
“We all have to learn how to serve our country, knowing that one day we will be called back by our creator,” he said.
Muhammadu Buhari, who passed away in London on Sunday, was buried on Tuesday in his Daura, Katsina State hometown with full military honours.
The ceremony was attended by top government officials, foreign dignitaries, and traditional leaders.
