Former presidential aide, Reno Omokri, and a Northern youth activist known as Sarki have criticised Labour Party presidential hopeful, Peter Obi, for not attending the burial of former President Muhammadu Buhari in Daura, Katsina State, on Tuesday.
Buhari was buried in his hometown with full state honours. The event was attended by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, former Vice Presidents Atiku Abubakar and Yemi Osinbajo, and other top political figures. Obi, however, was notably absent.
Omokri accused Obi of showing disregard for the North and suggested that his absence revealed his true political leanings.
“Tinubu was in Daura from start to finish, showing personal respect to Buhari and the North. But where was Obi?” Omokri posted on social media platform X. “In 2027, Nigeria needs a leader for all Nigerians, not a pretender.”
He also reminded Nigerians that Obi once referred to former Head of State, General Yakubu Gowon, as “an enemy” during Gowon’s 90th birthday in 2024. Omokri linked this to Obi’s recent comment that the trial of Nnamdi Kanu “makes no sense”, suggesting it shows bias.
Sarki also took to X to express disappointment in Obi’s absence, warning that it could hurt his political chances in the North ahead of the 2027 presidential election.
“Peter Obi didn’t attend Buhari’s burial but expects northerners to hand over the country to him. Let’s see how he plans to win without our votes,” Sarki wrote.
Both Omokri and Sarki have been known critics of Obi, especially over his growing influence among southern youths. Their latest comments highlight regional political tensions as the race toward 2027 begins to take shape.
Meanwhile, some Nigerians have also questioned President Tinubu’s decision to declare a public holiday in honour of Buhari, describing it as unnecessary.