A Photo file of Peter Obi

Former presidential aide Reno Omokri and Northern social media commentator, Sarki, have criticised Labour Party’s Peter Obi for not attending the burial of former President Muhammadu Buhari in Daura, Katsina State, on Tuesday.

Buhari, who died in London on Sunday, was buried on Tuesday in his hometown, with President Bola Tinubu, former Vice Presidents Atiku Abubakar and Yemi Osinbajo, and other top dignitaries in attendance.

Reacting in separate posts on X, Omokri and Sarki questioned Obi’s absence and warned it could harm his prospects in Northern Nigeria ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Omokri accused Obi of lacking genuine national appeal, suggesting that his absence was symbolic of his disposition toward the North.

“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,” he wrote.

Omokri also referenced Obi’s past remarks about other Northern leaders and controversial figures.

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

Meanwhile, last week, he said Nnamdi Kanu’s trial ‘makes no sense.’ Again, these are his exact words. This is the same Nnamdi Kanu who says the vilest things about Arewa and lied that General Buhari died in 2017 and was replaced by a clone from Sudan named Jubril.

“Arewa, isn’t the handwriting on the wall clear? In 2027, Nigeria needs a truly Nigerian president in Aso Rock, not a pretender whose true allegiance lies elsewhere.”

Also reacting, Sarki said Obi’s absence may affect his acceptance in the region.

“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,” he posted.

Obi is yet to publicly respond to the criticisms.