The Muhammadu Buhari I Knew – A Personal Reflection
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Muhammadu Buhari I Knew |
Yes, I had the privilege of serving President Muhammadu Buhari for eight years as his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity. Beyond being my principal, he became a senior friend—someone I admired deeply. I can say without hesitation: I loved him.
Throughout his periods of medical care in London, I kept close tabs on his condition. When he was in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU), anxiety gripped us. But hope returned when he was moved to a regular ward. Still, nothing could prepare us for the blow that came on the afternoon of Sunday, July 13. Our friend was gone.
On January 16, 2024, I publicly launched my book titled “Working with Buhari,” a personal chronicle of my time as his spokesman from 2015 to 2023. I felt compelled to write it for two main reasons. First, globally, it is common practice for journalists who serve in such positions to document their experiences. It is both right and necessary. Second, the Buhari I came to know—intimately and professionally—was far removed from the public perceptions held by many Nigerians. That Buhari needed to be revealed.
The book does not delve into economic theories or hardcore policy frameworks. Rather, it offers insights into Buhari the man—his temperament, motivations, and quiet passions. The software, not the hardware of governance.
Some Nigerians expressed nostalgia for the General Muhammadu Buhari of the 1980s, viewing him as tougher, more uncompromising than the civilian president he became decades later. I once posed this very sentiment to the former president himself. He acknowledged the contrast.
Back in the 1980s, Buhari was a 42-year-old Major General with an iron will, ruling alongside his deputy, the equally resolute General Tunde Idiagbon. Together, they governed with the sternness expected of a military regime. But that era came to an abrupt end.
When he returned in 2015, it was a different Buhari. He was 73—older, wiser, more tempered by time and experience. He had seen the fall of communism, endured prison, and embraced democracy. Naturally, he governed differently. Decision-making in a democracy is not as swift or unilateral as in a military government. Processes must be followed. Orders cannot be issued and executed with the same immediacy. What people witnessed was not a weakened Buhari—it was a matured one, reshaped by time and the weight of democratic responsibility.
In 2015, Nigeria faced extraordinary insecurity. Bombs exploded multiple times daily. Boko Haram had infiltrated the North-East, North-West, North-Central—even Abuja was under siege. Public places were unsafe. Places of worship had become high-risk zones. But by the time Buhari left office, the frequency and scale of attacks had significantly reduced. It would be unfair to claim that the security situation was worse than he met it. It simply isn’t true.
On the economy, critics often focus solely on the performance of the naira. But foreign exchange rates are deeply tied to a country's export capacity. Under President Jonathan, oil reached $144 per barrel at one point. Under Buhari, it plummeted to $37—and stayed low for months. Then came the COVID-19 pandemic, which pushed prices down even further.
Amid all this, Buhari made real strides in diversifying Nigeria’s economy—something administrations before him had only paid lip service to. Under his leadership, agriculture became the new backbone of the economy. Oil, which once contributed over 80% of GDP, dropped to below 10%. Information and Communication Technology (ICT) surged. Even manufacturing made modest gains. That is what true diversification looks like.
Since our exit from office in May 2023, I made it a personal commitment to visit him quarterly. Whether in Daura or Kaduna, I journeyed to see my former boss. My last visit turned out to be our final meeting—he travelled abroad the following week.
He appeared in good spirits. I asked how he was doing. With a chuckle, he said he felt fine—“having been freed from the burdens of Nigeria.” We both laughed.
Farewell, my President, my boss, and my friend. You were truly one of a kind. Where shall we find your like again?
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