Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi has pushed back against what he described as “unwarranted attacks” over his absence at the burial of former President Muhammadu Buhari, insisting that mourning should not be reduced to political point-scoring.

Obi, who arrived in Daura, Katsina State on Wednesday to pay condolences to the late president’s family, said it was logistically impossible to attend the Tuesday burial due to lack of available flights and restricted access to Katsina Airport, which was under tight security as a result of high-profile attendance.

“It was difficult to come yesterday because there was no flight. Even if there was, you couldn’t land in Katsina. The airport was closed due to the presence of dignitaries,” Obi told Arise TV.

The former Anambra State governor criticised attempts by political opponents to weaponize his absence, calling it “uncharitable and unnecessary.”

“Mourning is not a photo opportunity. I came as soon as I could, not to score political points, but to show respect to the former President and his family. That’s what matters,” Obi said.

He noted that mourning continues beyond the burial day, adding that tradition allows space for people to offer condolences over several days.

“I came to honour the former President in my own time, the right way. That is what decency demands. We must stop politicising everything, including death,” he added.

Obi’s dignified stance is being seen by many observers as a call for more maturity and empathy in national discourse, especially when dealing with sensitive moments of loss.