A new biography of former Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari has revealed a significant attempt by his aides to influence the 2022 All Progressives Congress presidential primaries. The book, “From Soldier to Statesman: The Legacy of Muhammadu Buhari,” authored by Dr. Charles Omole, was launched at the Presidential Villa and sheds light on the events surrounding the primaries.
According to the biography, on the eve of the APC primaries, some of Buhari’s aides allegedly forged presidential directives to install former Senate President Ahmad Lawan as the party’s consensus candidate. The fake orders were reportedly sent to top security chiefs, including the Inspector-General of Police, the Director-General of the Department of State Services, and the Director-General of the National Intelligence Agency, instructing them to deploy security forces to ensure Lawan’s emergence as the consensus candidate.
However, former Inspector-General of Police Usman Alkali Baba allegedly rejected the orders and directly verified with Buhari, who denied issuing any such instructions. The late president reportedly stated that he had no preferred candidate and emphasized that Nigerians should freely choose their leader. The book quotes sources close to the events, saying Buhari made it clear that he had not anointed anyone and that the security agencies should not interfere in the process.
The biography also reveals that Buhari was amused upon hearing that celebrations had erupted in Lawan’s neighborhood over the supposed endorsement, reiterating that he had not endorsed any candidate. This development highlights the significance of the democratic process and the importance of ensuring the independence of security agencies in Nigeria.
The revelation comes as a significant insight into the inner workings of the Nigerian political landscape, particularly during the 2022 APC presidential primaries. The book provides a unique perspective on the events surrounding the primaries, shedding light on the attempts to manipulate the process and the role of key figures, including former President Buhari and his aides. The biography is expected to spark further discussion and analysis of Nigeria’s political landscape and the country’s democratic institutions.
