Taiwo Popoola
Contents
Fresh revelation has emerged on why former President Muhammadu Buhari declined to publicly support a successor ahead of the 2022 presidential election.The explanation is contained in a newly released book that explores Buhari’s leadership approach, security mindset, and management of power within the All Progressives Congress (APC).Titled “From Soldier to Statesman: The Legacy of Muhammadu Buhari”, the book was unveiled in Abuja and provides behind-the-scenes accounts of critical decisions taken during Buhari’s presidency.Authored by Dr Charles Omole, Director General of the Institute for Police and Security Policy Research (IPSPR), the 600-page work compiles reflections from senior officials who worked closely with the former president.A key revelation came from the former Director General of the Department of State Services (DSS), Yusuf Bichi, who addressed the long-running debate over Buhari’s refusal to anoint a preferred candidate during the APC presidential primary.According to Bichi, Buhari intentionally avoided endorsing any aspirant to safeguard lives and maintain internal party cohesion.He disclosed that intelligence reports at the time indicated that openly backing a candidate could expose such an individual to grave security risks amid an intense and highly competitive political atmosphere.Bichi noted that Buhari’s silence was often misinterpreted as a lack of interest, but it was actually a deliberate, security-driven strategy aimed at preventing internal crisis and possible disintegration within the ruling party.He noted that the former president believed that publicly naming a successor would heighten rivalries, increase hostility, and potentially place the endorsed individual in physical danger.“In those months, knives were out; politically and, as security professionals know too well, sometimes literally,” Bichi stated in the book.He added that Buhari chose to absorb criticism rather than risk destabilising the party or endangering human life.The former DSS chief said Buhari felt that allowing the primary process to play out freely helped distribute political risk among aspirants and prevented the concentration of hostility on one individual.The book presentation, which attracted a high-profile audience at the Presidential Villa, included President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Gambian President Adama Barrow, governors, ministers, diplomats, traditional rulers, and members of Buhari’s family.
