Senate President Godswill Akpabio has clarified that he and a delegation of senators were unable to attend the burial of former President Muhammadu Buhari on Tuesday due to severe air traffic and a lack of parking space at Katsina Airport.
Buhari, who served as Nigeria’s president from 2015 to 2023, passed away at 82 in a London clinic on Sunday after a prolonged illness
His burial took place on Tuesday in his hometown of Daura, Katsina State, attracting numerous dignitaries including President Bola Tinubu, Vice President Kashim Shettima, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, and various governors and ministers.
Read Also: Why I Didn’t Attend Buhari’s Burial – Peter Obi
The federal government had declared Tuesday a public holiday and ordered flags flown at half-mast for a week in his honor.
In a post on his official Facebook page, Akpabio explained, “Yesterday (Tuesday), after several attempts by the pilot to land our aircraft in Katsina State, due to traffic and lack of parking space in the airport, we had to return to Abuja, and as such, we couldn’t attend the burial ceremony of our late former President.”
Despite missing the burial, Akpabio, who served as Minister of Niger Delta Affairs under Buhari’s administration, returned to Katsina on Wednesday.
Accompanied by distinguished colleagues, including Senators Ali Ndume (Borno South) and Ned Nwoko (Delta North), he paid a condolence visit to the Buhari family, offering prayers for the repose of the late president’s soul and for strength for his family, friends, and associates.
The delegation also visited the Emir of Daura, Umar Faruk, to extend condolences to the Emirate’s people, and met with Katsina State Governor Dikko Radda to express sympathy to the state’s residents.
Photos shared on Facebook showed Akpabio and his colleagues praying with the bereaved family.
Join Informant Online WhatsApp Channel With Link Below: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VaihFajBadmT29ufud2
