By: Daure David, Political Correspondence
In a moment that has stirred both confusion and amusement across the country, Senate President Godswill Akpabio made a notable slip of the tongue during a plenary session on Wednesday, mistakenly referring to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu as having been buried, instead of the late former President Muhammadu Buhari.
Loading ...While commending the Federal Government for the dignified conduct of Buhari’s funeral, Akpabio stated:
> “The whole country is very proud of what this administration has done in the way and manner President Bola Ahmed Tinubu was honored and was buried.”
He quickly corrected himself, saying:
> “Sorry, President Buhari was honored and buried.”
The blunder, captured on video and widely circulated on social media, has drawn mixed reactions from Nigerians. Some viewed it as a harmless mistake, while others speculated about deeper political undertones. The incident follows a similar gaffe by Imo State Governor Hope Uzodinma, who also mistakenly referred to Tinubu as deceased during a public prayer.
Akpabio had been delivering a tribute to Buhari, who passed away on July 13, 2025, at a London clinic and was buried in his hometown of Daura, Katsina State. The Senate President praised Buhari’s legacy, describing him as a disciplined leader who served Nigeria without embezzling public funds.
Despite the correction, the moment has sparked widespread commentary online, with hashtags like #TinubuBurialGaffe trending across platforms. Political analysts suggest the repeated mix-up may reflect the intense focus on President Tinubu’s administration and its role in honoring Buhari’s legacy.
As reactions continue to pour in, Akpabio has not issued a formal apology, but sources close to the Senate leadership insist the remark was an honest mistake made in the heat of a solemn tribute.
