Buhari Did Not Interfere To Make Anyone President. But Cabal Headed By Mamman Daura Had Other Ideas -Aisha Buhari

Former First Lady Aisha Buhari has delivered a candid reflection on the eight years of her late husband’s administration, pointing to internal power dynamics that, in her view, weakened the effectiveness of his presidency.

According to The Nigerian Tribune, her account appears in a newly released book, “From Soldier to Statesman: The Legacy of Muhammadu Buhari,” authored by Dr. Charles Omole and unveiled on Monday at the State House Banquet Hall. In the book, Aisha Buhari is quoted as saying that the former president became increasingly cut off from broad counsel, as a small group of influential relatives and political actors tightened their grip on access and decision-making, often for personal advantage.

One chapter, titled “Revelations at Last after the Silence: Aisha Buhari’s Account of the Villa and the Men Who Fought a Presidency,” recounts how many figures who worked for Buhari’s victory in 2015 were later marginalised, while governance at the Presidency became concentrated within this inner circle.

The book also explains her position during the build-up to the 2023 presidential election, when she openly supported Bola Ahmed Tinubu as the All Progressives Congress (APC) flagbearer, despite reported moves by powerful interests to promote a northern successor to Buhari.

In the narrative attributed to her, Aisha Buhari said her backing of Tinubu rested on both ethical and strategic grounds. She maintained that, after eight years of northern leadership, fairness and national stability required a shift of power to the South.

Beyond that, she argued that Tinubu had the political strength and nationwide appeal necessary to secure electoral victory for the party.

As the succession contest intensified, her support for Tinubu was portrayed as intentional and public. She reportedly framed her decision around two key considerations: respect for the informal rotation of power between North and South, and electoral viability.

According to the account, she consulted northern governors and asked which southern aspirant could realistically command support in the North.

Their response, she said, was that Bola Ahmed Tinubu was the most acceptable option, a conclusion she adopted in guiding her position.

The book further said, “My husband neither instructed nor interfered. He has never,” she claims. “He (Muhammadu Buhari) did not interfere to make anyone President. But the cabal around my husband, headed by Mamman Daura, had other ideas.”

If you love political news or like to get more news happening around the globe, use the button below to get more verified news happening around Nigeria and the world today.