A new book has revealed how influential aides close to former President Muhammadu Buhari allegedly issued fake presidential orders to top security chiefs ahead of the 2023 All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential primaries.
The book claims that the aides approached the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), the Director-General of the Department of State Services (DSS), and the Director-General of the National Intelligence Agency (NIA). They allegedly instructed them to deploy security forces to install then Senate President Ahmad Lawan as the APC’s preferred presidential candidate.
The revelations appear in From Soldier to Statesman: The Legacy of Muhammadu Buhari, written by Dr. Charles Omole. The book was launched on Tuesday at the State House Conference Hall in Abuja.
President Bola Tinubu attended the event alongside Gambian President Adama Barrow, First Lady Senator Oluremi Tinubu, Nana Shettima, governors, royal fathers, former First Lady Aisha Buhari, members of Buhari’s family, and former aides.
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According to the book, former IGP Alkali Baba recalled that some powerful individuals, described as people close to the president, delivered the fake order to the three security chiefs on the eve of the APC primaries in Abuja.
The book explains that Buhari had earlier met with security leaders and gave clear instructions. He told them to ensure adequate security for free and credible elections and to allow Nigerians choose their preferred candidates without interference.
The narrative adds that when the aides delivered the alleged order, Alkali Baba refused to comply. He consulted the DSS and NIA chiefs, and the three agreed to seek an urgent meeting with Buhari.
During the meeting, the security chiefs asked Buhari if he had any additional instructions beyond election security. Buhari reportedly said he had none. When the IGP raised reports that Buhari had endorsed Lawan, the president laughed and denied endorsing any candidate. He restated that Nigerians and party members must decide.
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After the meeting, the IGP reportedly informed the aides that Buhari had no preferred candidate and would not use security agencies to influence the primaries. The book says the incident shows how some aides misrepresented Buhari without his knowledge.
The book also revealed that former First Lady Aisha Buhari played a key role in the removal of former DSS Director-General Lawal Daura. It stated that then Acting President Yemi Osinbajo removed Daura while Buhari was abroad, and Buhari later refused pressure to reverse the decision.
According to the author, Buhari believed reversing Osinbajo’s action would undermine institutional authority. The book added that Aisha Buhari strongly pushed for Daura’s removal.
Another revelation described a family dispute inside the Presidential Villa that led to gunshots. The book said a police officer attached to the First Lady fired shots during the incident. Buhari’s Chief Security Officer, Abubakar Idris, arrested and detained the officer.
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The incident reportedly led Buhari to order disciplinary action against a family member involved. The book noted that Buhari made it clear that family ties would not protect anyone once misconduct was established.
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