Furore Over Absence Of Buhari, Osinbajo At Funeral Of Late COAS Attahiru, Other Military Chiefs
The absence of President Buhari and Vice President Yemi Osinbajo at the funeral of the Late Chief of Army Staff Gen. Ibrahim Attahiru, has drawn several reactions from Nigeria.
Many Nigerians, who condemned the action, described it as ‘lack of empathy.’
Several others criticised some Governors, Ministers and lawmakers who attended the wedding ceremony of a son of the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, in Kano State over the weekend.
Recall that The National had reported that the Islamic Funeral Service was held at the National Mosque, Abuja for the late army chief and other military officers.
The Christain burial rites held simultaneously at the Nigerian Air Force Protestant Church in Abuja.
At the funeral rites were Secretary to the Government of the Federation Boss Mustapha; Chief of Staff to the President, Ibrahim Gambari; Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed and Minister of Communications and Digital Strategy, Isa Pantami.
Others were Sultan of Sokoto, Sa’ad Abubakar; Senate President, Ahmed Lawan as well as Borno, Kaduna, Yobe and Kebbi Governors.
President Buhari in a statement by one of his Media aide, Femi Adesina expressed sadness over the air crash condoling with families of the deceased, the military and Nigerians in general, describing them as “heroes who paid the ultimate price for peace and security in the land.”
But Nigerians were displeased over the President’s absence at the funeral rites.
Reacting, former Kaduna lawmaker, Senator Shehu Sani advised: “The President should visit the bereaved families of the late COAS and other deceased officers, in order to make up for that unconscionable absence at the interment.”
Journalist Jaafar Jaafar said: “In January 2016, Buhari attended the memorial service of 100 Kenyan soldiers killed by Alshabab but didn’t attend the funeral/memorial service for hundreds of Nigerian soldiers killed by Boko Haram in Gudunbali in November 2015. #BuhariLacksEmpathy for Nigerians!
Popular blogger, Japhet Omojuwa, tweeted: “If you can go to France, you can attend the burial of your COAS + others and use that platform as an opportunity to reassure your troops whilst celebrating the loss of our gallant men. But I shouldn’t tweet this. I shouldn’t attract unnecessary negative energy to my timeline.”
Somto Onuchukwu said “This funeral of former Chief of Army staff held in Abuja, Buhari and his VP Osinbajo were absent. The most irresponsible govt in the history of this country.
Covener, Concerned Nigerian, Comrade Deji Adeyanju lamented: “Your COAS died in the line of duty but you couldn’t attend his burial. It’s not like the man went on a voyage or frolic of his own. These Generals & officers died serving the country. Na wa ooo. I’m just speechless for Buhari & his people.
Commentator FS Yusuf also stated that “Buhari’s absence at the Chief of Army funeral would pass a very strong demotivating message to the Nigerian Military especially the troops fighting insurgency at the frontline. This is to tell you that this man values no fucking soul in this country. There was a country
“Buhari not attending the funeral of his own Chief of Army Staff should be more of an issue of concern to the rest of his cabals not ordinary Nigerians. The consistent lack of empathy he has shown on lives of Nigerians lost to insecurity is enough stone for us to keep chewing, ” Abdool Moh said.
