Former Anambra State governor, Peter Obi has explained why he was absent on Tuesday at the burial of former President Muhammadu Buhari in Daura, Katsina State.
The presidential candidate of the Labour Party in the 2023 elections, attributed his absence to flight restrictions.
Obi who was conspicuously absent said efforts to attend the burial were hampered by a combination of unavailable flights and restricted air traffic to accommodate high-level dignitaries.
He said, “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.
“It is believed that the mourning continues today and tomorrow. Whoever comes today or tomorrow is still part of the mourning.”
Obi recalled his past interactions with Buhari, particularly a meeting during his presidential campaign in which the late leader urged him to focus on the welfare of Nigeria’s poor.
“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.”
