Reno Omokri, Northern Youth Slam Peter Obi Over Absence at Buhari’s Burial

Former presidential aide Reno Omokri and a prominent Northern youth leader, known on X as Sarki, have criticised Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate, Peter Obi, for his absence at the state burial of former President Muhammadu Buhari in Daura, Katsina State.

Buhari, who passed away in London on Sunday at the age of 82, was laid to rest in his hometown on Tuesday, with full state honours.

The burial was attended by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, former Vice Presidents Atiku Abubakar and Yemi Osinbajo, and a host of top government officials, military officers, and dignitaries.

However, Peter Obi was conspicuously absent at the high-profile event—a move that has drawn sharp criticism from political figures and Northern stakeholders.

Taking to his verified X handle on Tuesday, Omokri questioned Obi’s commitment to national unity, alleging that his absence at Buhari’s funeral reflected a broader pattern of disregard for the northern region.

“President Bola Ahmed Tinubu was in Daura from beginning to end, showing his personal devotion to General Muhammadu Buhari and his commitment to the North. Arewa, remember who was not there!” Omokri posted.

He accused Obi of hypocrisy and selective loyalty, pointing to his past comments about former Head of State, General Yakubu Gowon, and recent statements on the trial of Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) leader, Nnamdi Kanu.

“On October 19, 2024, during General Gowon’s 90th birthday, Peter Obi called him ‘an enemy’ to be forgiven. And today, when General Buhari, the successor to Ahmadu Bello, was being buried, Peter Obi was nowhere to be found,” Omokri said.

He further criticised Obi’s remarks on Nnamdi Kanu, stating: “Last week, he said Kanu’s trial ‘makes no sense.’ This is the same Kanu who insulted Northern leaders and even spread the conspiracy theory that Buhari had died and was replaced by a Sudanese clone.”

Omokri warned that Nigerians must choose a truly inclusive leader in the 2027 elections. “Nigeria needs a truly Nigerian president in Aso Rock, not a pretender whose true allegiance lies elsewhere,” he added.

Echoing Omokri’s sentiments, Sarki, a northern youth influencer and commentator, warned that Obi’s absence could cost him Northern support in his future political ambitions.

“Peter Obi didn’t attend President Muhammadu Buhari’s burial. This is the same man who expects northerners to hand over Nigeria to him. Let’s see how he plans to become president without our votes,” Sarki wrote on his X account.

Peter Obi has not publicly commented on his absence at the funeral, but political observers believe the backlash may intensify calls for him to clarify his stance on national unity and his relationship with Northern Nigeria.

Meanwhile, civil rights lawyer, Maduabuchi Idam, also raised questions over the public holiday declared by President Tinubu in honour of Buhari, arguing that such a gesture should have been debated or endorsed by the National Assembly.