Former National Security Adviser Babagana Monguno has revealed details about the inner workings of the Nigerian Presidency during his tenure. In the newly launched book *From Soldier to Statesman: The Legacy of Muhammadu Buhari*, authored by Charles Omole and unveiled at the Presidential Villa in Abuja, Monguno disclosed that funds approved by former President Muhammadu Buhari for his office were deliberately withheld by influential individuals within the Presidency.
Monguno, who served as National Security Adviser from 2015 to 2023, explained that the funding issue arose after he acted on intelligence from the commander of the Presidential Air Fleet. The commander warned that the company supplying fuel to the fleet was under investigation, posing a potential security risk. Monguno recommended changing the supplier, a decision that President Buhari approved. However, this move allegedly threatened entrenched interests in the Presidency, prompting opposition from powerful figures such as the late Chief of Staff Abba Kyari and Buhari’s nephew Mamman Daura. According to Monguno, the Minister of Finance was also used to frustrate his office financially, despite Buhari’s approval of the funds.
The withholding of funds had significant consequences. It damaged Nigeria’s security system, causing subscriptions for key security systems and partnerships with foreign agencies to lapse. Monguno also claimed that surveillance equipment around the Presidential Villa suffered, as approvals to maintain and upgrade it were repeatedly delayed.
The book also includes accounts from former First Lady Aisha Buhari, who shared her experiences in Aso Rock. She revealed that rumors within the Villa once led her husband to suspect she intended to harm him, prompting changes to his feeding routine that contributed to his illness in 2017. Aisha Buhari attributed her husband’s health struggles to the shift in responsibility for his diet to official handlers after he moved to the Presidential Villa, resulting in missed meals and suspended supplements.
These revelations provide insight into the inner workings of the Nigerian Presidency during Buhari’s tenure, highlighting the challenges faced by key officials, including the National Security Adviser. The alleged sabotage and mistrust within the Presidency have significant implications for Nigeria’s security and governance, and may help deepen understanding of the factors that have shaped the country’s recent history.
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