The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has accused the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) of hypocrisy in its public mourning of former President Muhammadu Buhari, who died on Sunday in a London clinic at the age of 82.

In a statement signed by its interim National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, the ADC said the APC and the federal government had spent the last two years distancing themselves from Buhari’s administration and blaming him for the country’s challenges, but were now taking centre stage in mourning him.

“The ADC notes with regret that his own political party and the government that had done everything in the last two years to tarnish his records, dismantle his legacies, and blame him for every one of their failings are now posturing as the chief mourners at his burial,” Abdullahi said.

He described the APC’s current display of grief as “sheer hypocrisy and a brazen move to harvest political gains from a national tragedy.”

The ADC called on Buhari’s family and loyal supporters to be vigilant against what it termed “political opportunism,” saying attempts to exploit the situation for partisan advantage should be resisted.

The party also announced a three-day period of mourning beginning Tuesday, July 15, during which it said all political activities and public statements would be suspended to honour the late former president.

In its tribute, the ADC urged Nigerians to focus on the values Buhari represented, especially “integrity, humility, and a deep commitment to public service.”

The statement read, “This is in solemn recognition of President Buhari’s contribution to the Nigerian nation—as citizen, as a soldier, as Military Head of State and as a democratically elected President.”

The party acknowledged the former president’s impact on the lives of ordinary Nigerians. “With his force of personal example, Buhari inspired millions across social divides, but especially the poor, who adored and stuck with him throughout his political sojourn and thereafter,” it said.

In a separate message, the party described Buhari as “a towering figure who typifies humility, integrity, and zero tolerance for corruption,” and noted that he had left “an indelible imprint on Nigeria’s political history as an elder statesman and, above all, as a great patriot.”

The ADC offered condolences to Buhari’s family and prayed for strength for Nigerians during what it called a moment of national grief.