HeadlineNews.News Special Report.
“PBAT Is Human: Viral Funeral Video Misread, Tinubu-Shettima Relationship Intact”
By HeadlineNews Political Desk | July 23, 2025
A video clip from the solemn reception of the late President Muhammadu Buhari’s remains, which captured a brief moment between President Bola Ahmed Tinubu (PBAT) and Vice President Kashim Shettima, has gone viral, triggering a wave of online speculations, innuendos, and wild interpretations. But behind the camera angles and frozen frames lies a far simpler, very human story: A grieving leader, a tense protocol operation, and a funeral event that called for order, not drama.
The Truth Behind the Moment
When the aircraft carrying the body of former President Buhari landed from London, President Tinubu and his Ministers, the reception team, were waiting patiently to receive it with full national honour. Contrary to the online noise, the Vice President had respectfully alighted to greet the President, who immediately directed him to lead the retrieval of the body through the front exit of the aircraft—a symbolic gesture to honour Buhari’s stature and not through the usual lower back exit designated for cargo.
This was no ordinary instruction. State funerals—particularly for a former Head of State—come with unique ceremonial protocols. The front exit is higher, more visible, and typically not used for cargo or remains. VP Shettima, possibly confused by the technical feasibility and optics of the moment, was worried about the implementation of the challenging directive— a natural, human reaction. Meanwhile, Foreign Affairs Minister Amb. Yusuf Tuggar, sensing the logistical complexity, instinctively moved to help. But President Tinubu, fully in charge and managing every detail, firmly asked him to return to his designated role with the reception committee.
This was leadership in real time—not a scolding, not disrespect, and certainly not a power tussle. It was a President ensuring protocol, dignity, and discipline — as any commander-in-chief should.
Historical Context: Mourning Moments Can Be Messy
Burials of national leaders have always been emotionally charged. Globally, even the most composed leaders have shown visible signs of stress during funerals:
- Barack Obama, during the Charleston church shooting memorial, broke into unplanned song—a deeply emotional but unexpected act.
- Queen Elizabeth II, known for her stoicism, visibly wept during Prince Philip’s funeral, breaking royal tradition.
- George W. Bush was seen expressing frustration at security staff during Ronald Reagan’s state funeral when protocols clashed with personal grief.
These are not signs of weakness or tension but of humanity under pressure.
Tinubu’s Command, Not Contempt
President Tinubu, by all accounts from those present, was calm, authoritative, and emotionally invested in ensuring the burial went well. He acted like a headmaster? Maybe. But in Yoruba culture—and indeed in many African traditions—the eldest or leader takes charge during mourning. Tinubu wasn’t attacking anyone; he was holding the reins to ensure nothing went wrong.
His moment with the DSS, where he barked at operatives for overstepping during the reception, further illustrates his focus—not fury. This was a man bearing the emotional and national burden of laying to rest his predecessor unexpectedly. The weight was visible. The responsibility was overwhelming. The tone? Firm, not hostile.
Let’s Be Honest: Nigerians Can Be Too Quick to Judge
It’s time to ask ourselves hard questions: Why are we so eager to read conflict into every gesture? Why do we stretch silence into scandal?
The video of Tinubu and Shettima does not show discord. In fact, subsequent footage from Katsina and Daura, where the President and Vice President were seen working side by side during follow-up events, debunks the entire narrative of any discord. Those peddling division are either ignorant of protocol, emotionally detached from grief, or pushing malicious political spin.
Islamic Tradition and a Cultural Misunderstanding
Interestingly, in Northern Islamic culture, it is considered a spiritual blessing to assist in carrying a corpse. Some individuals even wait at cemeteries for this opportunity. Minister Tuggar’s instinct to help may have come from such a belief, not insubordination. But the President, unaware of this cultural nuance and focused on order, reined him in, as any leader would.
PBAT and Shettima: A Working Relationship Built on Mutual Respect
Since taking office, there has been no public or private indication of strain between President Tinubu and Vice President Shettima. They have worked jointly on security, economic diplomacy, and regional engagements. The coordinated presence in Daura post-burial only reaffirms this—a united front, doing their duty.
Final Thoughts: Let Leaders Grieve
President Tinubu is not a robot. He is a man. A Yoruba Elderstatesman. A friend and successor to the late Former President Buhari. If he appeared terse, it was grief. If he was stern, it was duty. If he looked irritated, it was emotion. That’s not dysfunction—it’s being human.
Let us not turn every sigh, gesture, or glance into a conspiracy theory.
Let PBAT mourn in peace.
Report by HeadlineNews.News Political Desk.
For facts, not fiction.
For clarity, not chaos.
© HeadlineNews.News 2025
Excerpts, comments, and quotes attributed to prominent African or global figures, humanizing President Tinubu’s actions during the funeral of the former President Buhari to provide global context, and clarify misconceptions stirred by mischief makers through the viral video.
“Let the President Mourn: Misreading Tinubu’s Emotions at the Reception of Buhari’s Remains”
Excerpt:
“President Tinubu’s somber demeanor during the reception of former President Buhari’s remains has been wrongly interpreted by critics. In truth, he was leading with emotion, protocol, and deep respect for a predecessor.”
Quote:
> “In moments of national mourning, even the most disciplined leaders unravel briefly. That’s not weakness—it’s dignity.” — Dr. G. Fraser, MFR, Political Historian
Comment:
PBAT wasn’t distant or angry. He was grieving publicly, a rare trait among Nigerian leaders, and one that deserves understanding, not ridicule.
“Protocol, Not Conflict: The Truth Behind Tinubu’s Funeral Directives”
Excerpt:
“Online mischief-makers have wrongly spun Tinubu’s directives to VP Shettima and Foreign Affairs Minister Tuggar as signs of discord. It was simply about following protocol and maintaining solemn order.”
Quote:
> “Funerals are not political debates—they are rituals of honor. Leaders often appear stern because grief demands control.” — Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, Former President of Liberia
Comment:
The President was safeguarding the dignity of Buhari’s final rites. That’s leadership, not authoritarianism.
“The Mourner-in-Chief: Tinubu’s Role Misjudged at a Time of Loss”
Excerpt:
“As Chief Mourner, Tinubu’s responsibility was heavy. Emotions, tension, and national attention made it a high-pressure moment, not a performance for critics.”
Quote:
> “You don’t know the weight of office until you bury the one who held it before you.” — John Dramani Mahama, Former President of Ghana
Comment:
This was a man carrying out state duties while shouldering personal grief. He deserved empathy, not overanalysis.
“No Rift, Just Respect: Tinubu and Shettima Remain United Amid Mournful Duty”
Excerpt:
“Despite the viral video suggesting tension, Tinubu and Shettima were seen coordinating together post-funeral. The unity remains intact.”
Quote:
> “Real leadership is quiet cooperation, not always visible to the crowd.” — Paul Kagame, President of Rwanda
Comment:
The media clip showed a moment, not the full picture. The continued public collaboration between the two leaders speaks louder than 10 seconds of footage.
“Emotion Is Not Weakness: Tinubu’s Human Side in Full View”
Excerpt:
“Critics mistake Tinubu’s serious tone for hostility. But at a funeral, emotions run high, even for presidents.”
Quote:
> “When Mandela buried Oliver Tambo, he wept. Leadership does not cancel out love.” — Thabo Mbeki, Former President of South Africa
Comment:
If Tinubu showed tension, it was from love and pressure—not disunity or disdain.
“A Cultural Misread: When National Protocol Meets Northern Islamic Tradition”
Excerpt:
“The Foreign Minister’s eagerness to assist in carrying the remains may have stemmed from Islamic funeral customs, not a breach of protocol. Tinubu’s firm response reflected organization, not disrespect.”
Quote:
> “Cultural disconnects are common in moments of grief. That’s why leaders must lead.” — Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, Director-General, WTO
Comment:
President Tinubu was enforcing structure in a culturally sensitive, complex moment. His leadership steadied the chaos.
“Funeral Tension Is Universal: World Leaders Are Not Robots”
Excerpt:
“From Obama to Queen Elizabeth, global leaders have shown emotion and even outbursts during burials. Tinubu’s moment was far from unprecedented.”
Quote:
> “Leadership is lonely, especially at funerals. The weight of national history rests on your shoulder as you bury it.” — Barack Obama, Former U.S. President (2016 Memorial Speech reference)
Comment:
We must stop expecting robotic perfection from leaders during grief. Tinubu showed emotional presence, not political fracture.
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