Ned Nwoko: Senate delegation missed Buhari’s burial over airport congestion

Ned Nwoko, senator representing Delta north, says the senate delegation was forced to return to Abuja after several failed attempts to land at Katsina airport for the burial of former President Muhammadu Buhari.

Buhari died on Sunday in a clinic in London, following a prolonged illness. He was buried at his residence in Daura, Katsina state, on Tuesday.

Nwoko said there was air traffic congestion and no available parking space at the Umaru Musa Yar’Adua Airport in Katsina.

“On Tuesday, efforts to attend the burial rites of our late former president, Muhammadu Buhari GCFR, were thwarted due to severe air traffic and the unavailability of parking space at the Katsina airport,” he said in a post on Thursday via his verified X account.

“After several failed landing attempts, we had no choice but to return to Abuja.”

He said he later travelled to Daura alongside Godswill Akpabio, the senate president, and other lawmakers to condole with Buhari’s family.

“Yesterday, I was in Daura in the company of the president of the senate, his excellency senator Godswill Akpabio, and other distinguished colleagues to pay a condolence visit to the family of our departed leader,” he said.

“We offered prayers for the peaceful repose of his soul and sought Almighty Allah’s mercy and forgiveness on his behalf. May he be granted Aljannah Firdaus.”

Nwoko said the delegation also visited Faruk Umar Faruk, the Emir of Daura, during the trip.

“We proceeded to the palace of the emir of Daura, his royal highness Alhaji Faruk Umar Faruk, where we extended our condolences to the Daura Emirate and its people, who have lost a symbol of pride and honour — a man whose life was devoted to service, simplicity, and discipline,” he said.

The Delta lawmaker said their final stop was at the residence of Dikko Umar Radda, governor of Katsina, to deliver a message of sympathy to the government and people of the state.

“President Muhammadu Buhari GCFR was a statesman of rare integrity. His contributions to Nigeria’s political and moral landscape will remain indelible,” he added.