Mr Peter Obi, former Labour Party presidential candidate, has explained the reason for his absence at the burial of former President Muhammadu Buhari, which took place on Tuesday in Daura, Katsina State.
Obi, whose absence drew criticism from some quarters given his political prominence and role as a former governor of Anambra State, clarified the situation during an interview with Arise TV on Wednesday.
He spoke from Daura, where he paid a condolence visit to the family of the late president.
“It was difficult to come yesterday because there was no flight,” Obi stated.
“Even if there was a flight, you couldn’t land in Katsina Airport. It was all closed due to the huge number of dignitaries.”
He dismissed insinuations of political motives behind his absence and stressed that the mourning period was not limited to the burial day alone.
“Mourning continues until tomorrow. So, whoever comes today or tomorrow is still within the proper time to pay their respects,” he added.
Obi’s visit to Daura on Wednesday came amid ongoing tributes to the former president, whose death in a London hospital on July 13, 2025, prompted condolences from across Nigeria’s political spectrum.
