Why Obi wasn’t in Daura for Buhari’s burial-Obienyem

By Praise Chinecherem

Val Obienyem, Media Aide to Labour Party Presidential Candidate in 2023 election, Mr Peter Obi has explained reasons why his principal was not in Daura, Katsina State on Tuesday for late President Mohammadu Buhari’s burial.

He blamed Obi’s inability to make the trip to what he termed logistical difficulties and complications arising from presidential movement.

He said attempts to persuade him to attend failed as Obi reminded him that condolences were not confined to single moment, assuring him of his presence in Daura next day (today).

He noted that not only that Obi eventually kept to his words of making it to Daura on Wednesday, but shamed his critics through his consistent, principled, and deeply rooted sense of decency that transcended politics.

Obienyem’s statement titled, “Yes, Obi is in Daura”, reads, “On Monday, I received countless calls from well-meaning individuals urging that Obi should try to be in Daura to pay his respects.

“When I discussed it with him that same day, he assured me of his intention to be there.

“In fact, he cancelled his planned trip to London because he initially believed that the mortal remains of the late President would be brought back on Monday.

“Unfortunately, due to logistical difficulties and the complications arising from presidential movement, he was unable to make the trip on Tuesday.

“I even encouraged him to go to the airport in the hope that he might find a private aircraft heading in that direction and join them.

“But he simply laughed and said to me, “Val, you know most of the people who have ever given me a lift did so because I happened to be at the airport by chance.

“I cannot go to the airport with the hope of getting a lift—it feels undignified.” I understood his point, though my only concern was that he be there without delay.

“He reminded me, however, that condolences are not confined to a single moment and assured me he would go the next day. True to his word, as I write this, Obi is already in Daura.

“In fact, as early as 5:30 a.m. this morning, I received a message from the former NUJ Chairman, Dr. Chris Isiguzo, stressing the importance of Obi being in Daura.

“I explained to him that Obi would be there today and gave the context for his absence yesterday. That is the kind of sincere, respectful communication that comes from those who genuinely care.

“Yet, alongside those who mean well, we also have in Nigeria a proliferation of what I call “emergency advisers” – individuals who flood social media pretending to care, while secretly hoping to exploit every situation for political point-scoring.

“While I appreciate the concerns of those who sincerely wished Obi had been in Daura earlier, I am not blind to the fact that many of the loudest voices are the very ones who do not wish him well.

“Behind their public posturing lies quiet satisfaction, as they mistake his absence for a political misstep they hope will damage his reputation.

“But by now, they should know better. Obi does not politicise matters as solemn and sacred as death. He remains true to his character – measured, respectful, and driven not by optics, but by values.

“During our discussion, I told him that part of my insistence on him going on Tuesday was because I knew that the reckless fringe would predictably claim his eventual presence was an afterthought – merely a reaction to public criticism.

“These are the same people who never tire of twisting the truth. But Obi remains undeterred: consistent, principled, and deeply rooted in a sense of decency that transcends politics.”