Headlines
Brazil’s Bolsonaro a ‘cheap copy of Trump’ Says Lula
President Jair Bolsonaro is a “cheap copy” of former US counterpart Donald Trump for his constant criticism of Brazil’s election system, the rival running to replace Bolsonaro said Monday.
Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, the leftist who led Brazil from 2003 to 2010, accused the far-right incumbent of taking a page from Trump’s script, attacking the South American giant’s electronic voting system.
Bolsonaro regularly alleges — with scant evidence — that the system is plagued by fraud, raising fears he could reject the outcome of Brazil’s October election if he loses.
Bolsonaro “has lied, spread fake news and defied our institutions,” Lula said in an interview with foreign correspondents.
“He’s a cheap copy of Trump,” added the 76-year-old, who leads in the polls.
However, he said he was confident Brazilian institutions would adhere to the election result “without question.”
Bolsonaro’s criticism of the computerized voting machines Brazil has used since 1996 have raised fears the man nicknamed the “Tropical Trump” could follow in the footsteps of his political role model if he loses.
Some Brazilians fear the country could have its own, possibly uglier version of last year’s attack on the Capitol in Washington, where Trump supporters rioted in a failed bid to stop Congress from confirming his 2020 election loss.
“Trump also tried to avoid accepting the result. They tried to invade the Capitol, and in the end he had to give in,” Lula said.
Bolsonaro, who sat for a televised interview Monday with the nation’s most-watched news program, said that he would respect the results, “as long as the elections are clean and transparent.”
During the 40-minute long Jornal Nacional interview, four words could be seen written on Bolsonaro’s left hand: “Nicaragua,” “Argentina,” “Colombia” and “Dario Messer”, a financier convicted in Brazil’s massive Car Wash anti-corruption investigation. None of the topics came up during the interview.
Lula, who was himself convicted and jailed during the Car Wash investigation before having his conviction overturned by the Supreme Court, also vowed if elected to rein in deforestation in the Brazilian Amazon. It has surged by 75 percent on Bolsonaro’s watch versus the previous decade.
President Bola Tinubu, on Tuesday arrived in Katsina to receive the remains of the former President Muhammadu Buhari, who passed away in London on Sunday at the age of 82.
Just hours before the burial of former President Muhammadu Buhari, heartfelt tributes have continued to pour in from beneficiaries of his many charitable deeds, with many describing him as a man who never turned his back on the needy.
Speaking to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Tuesday, Aminu Daura, a respected community elder, recalled how Buhari consistently provided foodstuffs during Ramadan for families, friends, widows, and orphans in his hometown.
“He never made noise about it, but many homes had food on their tables during fasting period because of him,” Daura said.
Abdullahi Sani, a physically-challenged man who received a tricycle from the Buhari Foundation in 2021, was overcome with emotion while speaking to NAN.
“I can move around and feed my family today because of Baba Buhari. I pray to Allah to reward him for giving hope to people like me,” he said, in tears.
Hajiya Fatima Yahaya, another resident, remembered Buhari’s acts of kindness during festive seasons.
“Even after he left office, his aides ensured that the usual support still reached us every year. He always remember his people,” she said, referring to his distribution of Sallah rams and food items to indigent families during Eid celebrations.
Other residents of Daura also shared memories of how the late former president quietly paid school fees and medical bills for struggling families, actions rarely publicized.
“Some of us benefited from his silent interventions. He was a true father and a great figure in the society,” said Ali Saidu.
On Monday night, Imams across various mosques in Daura held special Qur’anic recitations, praying for the forgiveness of Buhari’s sins and his eternal peace.
The Chief Imam of Daura Central Mosque, Sheikh Musa Kofar Barau, described Buhari as a humble leader whose legacy of service and compassion would remain alive in the hearts of the people.
Buhari is scheduled to be buried later on Tuesday in his hometown of Daura, Katsina State, in line with Islamic rites. The community is bracing to welcome thousands of mourners from across Nigeria and beyond.
His Majesty King Mohammed VI of Morocco has extended heartfelt condolences to President Bola Tinubu, the family of the late former President Muhammadu Buhari, and the entire Nigerian people following Buhari’s death.
In a message of sympathy, the Moroccan monarch described the passing of the former Nigerian leader as a “sad occurrence,” expressing deep sorrow over the loss.
King Mohammed VI hailed Buhari as “an illustrious leader who worked untiringly to serve his country’s best interests and lead his people toward further progress and prosperity.”
He added: “Our thoughts and prayers are with you and the bereaved. I share your grief and want you to know how much I appreciated the working sessions I had with the deceased.”
Reflecting on their bilateral engagements, the king noted that his collaboration with Buhari led to the launch of promising development projects, “ushering a new era grounded in friendship and close cooperation between our two sister nations.”
Tinubu arrives Katsina to receive Buhari’s body for burial
“He Never Turned His Back on the Needy” — Tributes Pour In Ahead of Buhari’s Burial
King Mohammed VI Mourns Buhari, Praises Legacy of Nigeria’s Former Leader
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