Lagos, Nigeria – 14 July 2025
The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has declared a three-day mourning period in honour of former Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari, who died on Sunday at the age of 82, while cautioning against what it described as political opportunism from his former allies.
In a press release issued on Monday, the opposition party expressed its respects for Buhari’s contributions to Nigeria, highlighting his roles as a citizen, soldier, military head of state, and democratically elected president. The mourning period, set to begin on Tuesday, 15 July, will see the ADC suspend all political activities and public statements across its chapters and structures.
“Regardless of political affiliations, what cannot be denied is that President Buhari served this country with a fierce sense of duty, personal discipline, and conviction,” the statement read. “With his force of personal example, Buhari inspired millions across social divides, but especially the poor, who adored and stuck with him throughout his political sojourn and thereafter.”
The ADC’s announcement comes amid widespread tributes following Buhari’s death in a London hospital after a prolonged illness. The former leader, who served as Nigeria’s president from 2015 to 2023 under the All Progressives Congress (APC), had been receiving treatment abroad. His passing was confirmed by family spokesperson Garba Shehu, prompting condolences from across the political spectrum and internationally.
However, the ADC statement took a pointed tone against Buhari’s former party and the current administration, accusing them of hypocrisy. It claimed that in the past two years, the APC-led government had sought to “tarnish his records, dismantle his legacies and blame him for every one of their failings,” only to now position themselves as chief mourners.
“This is sheer hypocrisy and a brazen move to harvest political gains from a national tragedy,” the release stated. “We therefore wish to alert the family and loyalists of the late president to be wary of political opportunism.”
Signed by Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, the ADC’s Interim National Publicity Secretary and Spokesperson for the Opposition Coalition, the statement urged Nigerians to remember Buhari for his “integrity, humility, and a deep commitment to public service.” It added: “Let his memory be a mirror that reflects the personal ethics that we must continue to demand from leadership for generations to come.”
The Nigerian government has responded to Buhari’s death by declaring a public holiday to honour the former leader. President Bola Tinubu, Buhari’s successor and fellow APC member, described him as a “towering figure” in Nigeria’s history, though this has drawn criticism from opposition voices echoing the ADC’s sentiments.
Social media reactions have been mixed, with many Nigerians expressing grief and reflecting on Buhari’s legacy. Posts on X (formerly Twitter) ranged from prayers for his soul to critiques of his administration, including references to economic challenges during his tenure. One user noted: “He looted everything and left Nigeria in pits,” linking it to broader calls for accountability in African leadership.
Buhari, born on 17 December 1942, first came to power via a military coup in 1983 before returning as a civilian president in 2015. His death marks the end of an era for Nigeria, Africa’s most populous nation, as the country grapples with ongoing economic and security issues.
Funeral arrangements are expected to be announced by the family in the coming days, with calls for national unity amid the mourning.
