The family of late former Nigerian president Muhammadu Buhari has disclosed how a group of close associates and aides allegedly exercised significant influence over government decisions during his time in office.
This revelation is contained in a newly released biography titled From Soldier to Statesman: The Legacy of Muhammadu Buhari, authored by Charles Omole and unveiled in Abuja.
Members of Buhari’s family, including his wife Aisha and his children, alongside former top government officials, recounted how certain individuals allegedly controlled access to the president and issued instructions to public officials without his direct consent.
According to Premium Times, the book explains that this inner circle included Buhari’s relative Mamman Daura, his longtime associate Isa Funtua, and his Chief of Staff, Abba Kyari, who were said to have influenced major decisions ranging from security matters to financial dealings and key appointments.
Although Daura and Funtua held no official government positions, they were reportedly highly influential, while Kyari’s role as Chief of Staff enabled him to enforce and legitimise their directives within government circles.
Fatima Buhari, one of the former president’s daughters, disclosed that she came across documents that were forged but carried her father’s signature.
She stated that official speeches and directives were sometimes modified without Buhari’s awareness.
In one instance, a speech delivered in the United States was reportedly altered without Buhari’s consent, illustrating the extent of control exercised by some aides.
Former government officials, including a former police chief, corroborated claims that several directives circulated as presidential instructions were never authorised by Buhari.
This pattern reportedly extended to security operations, appointments, and foreign exchange matters involving the Central Bank of Nigeria, leading to delays and administrative confusion.
Babagana Monguno, a former National Security Adviser, recounted confrontations with Kyari and Daura, alleging that they blocked the release of funds even after Buhari had approved, thereby disrupting the operations of the NSA’s office.
The book portrays Buhari as a leader who placed strong trust in long-standing associates and avoided open confrontation, a disposition that allegedly created opportunities for abuse of authority.
It further revealed that Buhari’s children often served as intermediaries, presenting accurate information and correcting false narratives to ensure their father was properly informed on key matters.
Overall, the biography offers an in-depth examination of the internal dynamics of Buhari’s administration and highlights how personal networks significantly shaped governance decisions.
