Presidential aspirant Bola Tinubu says celebrating his birthday shortly after citizens have been killed in an attack by bandits does not show him as a sensitive statesman and senior citizen.

Mr Tinubu cancelled the 13th edition of his colloquium slated to be chaired by President Muhammadu Buhari to show respect for the injured and departed on Tuesday. 

“I have just been informed of a very sad incident in our country. Very sad indeed. That over sixty people and many more were killed and bombed on a train between Kaduna and Abuja, just last night.

That is a very serious incident about the security of lives in this country and it calls for a very serious, sober reflection. 

“For me to be here celebrating, dancing and enjoying myself doesn’t show enough concern of a statesman and a senior citizen of this country. 

“I will urge the two clergies who are here present to continue to pray. And every one of you to go home and pray. This event should not be holding,” Mr Tinubu said, dispersing his audience. 

The event which presented another opportunity for the presidential hopeful to market himself to potential voters did not end without Mr Tinubu priding himself as a ‘very highly committed democrat.’

“I’ve consulted with the people you see around me here and they’ve agreed with me. And being a very highly committed democrat, I have subscribed myself to their suggestion that this event be cancelled. We pray for the souls of those who have departed prematurely,” Mr Tinubu added. 

As election season draws closer, Mr Tinubu has emphasised his ambition to build on the Buhari regime’s legacy, a legacy which would appear to have been tainted with widespread insecurity and economic hardship.