EXTRA: Amaechi wears turban to Buhari’s burial in Daura

Rotimi Amaechi, former minister of transportation, was spotted wearing a turban to the burial of former President Muhammadu Buhari in Daura, Katsina state.

Buhari, Nigeria’s former head of state and president, passed away on July 13, prompting national mourning and a burial ceremony in his hometown in Daura.

Amaechi donned the traditional headwear to attend the burial of the former president.

Meanwhile, Buhari’s body was airlifted from London to Nigeria on Tuesday morning aboard the presidential aircraft.

WHY IS AMAECHI WEARING A TURBAN?

Amaechi was conferred the title of Dan Amanar of Daura — meaning “trusted son of Daura” — on February 5, 2022, in recognition of his leadership and achievements in the transport sector.

At the time, Silas Zwingina, former deputy majority leader of the Senate, had refuted claims that the turbaning was politically motivated and described it instead as a cultural gesture of appreciation by the Daura Emirate.

Zwingina had said the Daura Emirate traditionally rewards individuals who have contributed meaningfully to the community’s development.

“It is totally out of politics and nobody should read any extraordinary meaning to it,” he said, noting that the projects Amaechi has executed in Daura and across Nigeria stand on their own merit.

Amaechi’s turban has previously attracted criticism, notably in 2022 when Musa Saidu, leader of Arewa in the south, urged the minister to stop wearing the turban during his political campaigns.

Saidu argued that the turban is a strong Islamic symbol and cautioned against its use as a political accessory.