TheCable

The absence of President Muhammadu Buhari at the burial of Ibrahim Attahiru, deceased chief of army staff, and 10 other officers who died in an air crash has set Twitter abuzz.

Attahiru and 10 other military officers were on board a Beechcraft 350 aircraft that crashed near Kaduna International Airport on Friday.

The president had asked Bashir Magashi, defence minister, to represent him at the funeral which took place at the National Military Cemetery in Abuja but this did not sit well with some Nigerians as they took to Twitter to show their disappointment.

“This funeral of former Chief of Army staff held in Abuja, Buhari and his VP Osinbajo were absent. The most irresponsible govt in the history of this country,” Somto Onuchukwu tweeted.

This funeral of former Chief of Army staff held in Abuja, Buhari and his VP Osinbajo were absent.
The most irresponsible govt in the history of this country.

— Somto Onuchukwu (@chosensomto) May 22, 2021

“What could the CnC of Armed forces be doing that he won’t attend the funeral of his Chief of Army Staff? Regardless of your political affiliation or your ethnicity, you will agree that is grossly irresponsible. Nigeria deserves better and I pray it gets better,” Omishore, former media aide to Bukola Saraki, immediate past senate president tweeted too.

What could the CnC of Armed forces be doing that he won’t attend the funeral of his Chief of Army Staff?

Regardless of your political affiliation or your ethnicity, you will agree that is grossly irresponsible.

Nigeria deserves better and I pray it gets better.

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— Banks Omisore (@MrBanksOmishore) May 23, 2021

Below are more reactions.

Niger's President at the funeral of Niger Republic soldiers. Why is Buhari not acting like a President??? pic.twitter.com/U4YEgHXhWk

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— Abdul-Aziz Na'ibi Abubakar (@jrnaib2) May 22, 2021

In January 2016, Buhari attended the memorial service of 100 Kenyan soldiers killed by Alshabab, but didn’t attend the funeral/memorial service for hundreds of Nigerian soldiers killed by Boko Haram in Gudunbali in November 2015. #BuhariLacksEmpathy for Nigerians!

— Jaafar Jaafar (@JaafarSJaafar) May 22, 2021

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Shebi I don dey talk am since say Buhari dey irresponsible?

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The head of your Army dies and you can't even be bothered to drive to his funeral 10 minutes away.

If one onye ọcha calls for one irrelevant nzukọ echi the man will be first to the plane and will gather bagpipes.

— Chxta (@Chxta) May 22, 2021

If the COAS burial was in London,
Buhari: pic.twitter.com/iWayd6rFxj

— FS Yusuf (@FS_Yusuf_) May 22, 2021

Sad that General @MBuhari did not attend the burial of the late Chief of Army Staff, General Attahiru. He was represented by his Defence Minister. Attahiru died serving Nigeria. Buhari, who went to Paris for 4 days, could not go to Attahiru’s funeral for 30 minutes#TableShaker

— Reno Omokri (@renoomokri) May 22, 2021

Once again Buhari that made it to and fro Paris can't make it to Gen Ibrahim Attahiru and crew's burial.

— Ayemojubar (@ayemojubar) May 22, 2021

Your COAS died in the line of duty but you couldn’t attend his burial. It’s not like the man went on a voyage or frolic of his own. These Generals & officers died serving the country. Na wa ooo. I’m just speechless for Buhari & his people.

— Comrade Deji Adeyanju (@adeyanjudeji) May 22, 2021

GEJ at late Gen. Aziza funeral and Russian President drenched under rain while attending the funeral of fallen heroes and Buhari picking his teeth in the Villa while his Chief of army staff and other generals are being buried. Nigeria Ntoor!💔💔 pic.twitter.com/ngPAgsG8XI

— Madona (@madona1996) May 22, 2021

Abah Kyari died Buhari did not attend his funeral

Is Funtua died, Buhari failed to attend his funeral

AVM Moukhar died Buhari no show

Attahiru died, Buhari was absent

But if the dog of Emmanuel Macron dies, Buhari will be the first to attend.

— Abdul-Aziz Na'ibi Abubakar (@jrnaib2) May 22, 2021

As if the death of Army Chief  Lt. Gen. Ibrahim Attahiru & other officers isn't tragic enough, C-in-C Buhari refused to attend their burial. Lesson 101: Die for Nigeria, die in vain. pic.twitter.com/SJ06CqAuB6

— Chuks Akunna (@akunnachux) May 22, 2021

No media chat, when we complained Femi Adesina said Buhari is shy.
Buhari in Katsina failed to visit Kankara , BMC supported and defended his action they called us wailers. Wonder why these same clowns are crying because same Buhari didn't attend the Generals funeral. Confused

— Premier (@SodiqTade) May 22, 2021

Here’s Putin attending a military funeral, drenched. But Buhari couldn’t attend COAS, Gen. Ibrahim Attahiru’s burial. At least to boost the morale of the army. Bayo must have felt really sad, he missed an opportunity to give Bubu one of those crisp clear photos. What a loss. pic.twitter.com/QBDjsTns6w

— NEFERTITI (@firstladyship) May 22, 2021

Buhari didn't attend the burial, the Governors picked a wedding ceremony over the burial

Before you die for this country, THINK AM AGAIN pic.twitter.com/Pdcmx88y4e

— Big Uncle 🌙🔴🕊️ (@Usmanashafe) May 23, 2021

Four Generals died in Nigeria, and Buhari, their commander in chief, shunned their burials.

If Buhari can do this to COAS, what's the fate of our soldiers dying to protect us from terrorism & all?, no iota of respect for "the labour of our heroes past, shall never be in vain"

— UNCLE AJ (@UNCLE_AJALA) May 23, 2021

Buhari was a former General.
Yet as the dead Chief of Army Staff was buried 10 mins away from Aso Rock;

The President sits in Aso Rock crossing his legs over a stool, reading a newspaper upside down and using a toothpick to wipe his teeth.

This is not a country. This is a mess.

— #OurFavOnlineDoc 🩺🇳🇬🇬🇧💎 (@DrOlufunmilayo) May 23, 2021