The Presidential Candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar yesterday lambasted President
Muhammadu Buhari for not attending the funeral of five air force officers killed in attack by insurgents.
In a statement he personally signed and made available to journalists yesterday in Abuja, Waziri Adamawa said:”At a time when the morale of our soldiers should be lifted up as they face the difficult task of defeating the terrorists who are threatening our national security, I find it most regrettable that President Muhammadu Buhari, despite being in Abuja, chose not to attend the funeral of the five airforce officers who died in a helicopter crash while prosecuting the war on
terror.”
Describing it as a pattern of unpatriotic behaviour, he recalled that: “Last month, I had cause to advise the President to find time to attend the funerals of the soldiers of the 157 Taskforce Battalion in Metele, Borno state, who paid the supreme price for Nigeria in large numbers.
“Sadly, due to reasons best known to him, President Buhari chose not to attend their funeral, neither was he represented by the Vice President nor any federal delegation. This was despite the fact that the President had time to host Nollywood actors and actresses the previous day. Imagine celebrating just before such a solemn event!
“The most recent funeral held in Abuja, the President was in Abuja on the day of the funeral. The previous day, he had inaugurated his
re-election campaign council.
“My question for Mr. President is this: is securing your second term, more important to you than securing Nigeria?
“I urge President Buhari to learn from younger leaders like French President Emmanuel Macron, who on March 28, 2018, attended the funeral
of a single French policeman, Lt. Col. Arnaud Beltrame, killed by terrorists in Southern France.
“That single event boosted the morale of the French security forces, because it showed a commitment to their wellbeing and honour for their memory by the head of state. Very sadly, President Buhari missed another opportunity to demonstrate such commitment to our armed
forces.
“Let me end this by commending our military for their sacrificial
efforts to secure all of us. You have my full support and solidarity.
When we make the solemn vow that the “labours of our heroes past shall
never be in vain”, we mean your colleagues, who paid the ultimate
price to secure Nigeria.”
