Former President Muhammadu Buhari’s disciplined approach to leadership and political succession is at the centre of revelations in a new biography, ‘From Soldier to Statesman: The Legacy of Muhammadu Buhari’.
The book highlights how Buhari’s prudence, strategic foresight, and adherence to institutional norms shaped the political landscape of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Authored by Dr Charles Omole, Director General of the Institute for Police and Security Policy Research (IPSPR), the 600-page biography was presented at the State House in Abuja on Monday.
The launch drew President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Gambian President Adama Barrow, governors, ministers, diplomats, traditional rulers, and associates of the late leader.
It traces Buhari’s journey from his early years in Daura, Katsina State, to his final days in a London hospital in July 2025.
Among the key insights, the book highlights Buhari’s decision not to publicly endorse a successor ahead of the APC’s 2022 presidential primary.
Former Director General of the Department of State Services (DSS), Yusuf Bichi, who contributed to the book, explained that the late president refrained from anointing a successor to protect lives and maintain party cohesion.
“Buhari’s silence was not detachment. It was a deliberate security decision informed by intelligence. Naming a successor would have exposed that individual to grave danger and could have destabilised the party and the broader polity,” Bichi said.
Bichi described the tense political climate at the time, noting that “knives were out, politically, and sometimes literally. By remaining silent, Buhari absorbed criticism for being aloof while shielding lives and preserving a fragile equilibrium within the APC.”
The biography further details how this approach ultimately facilitated a fair primary process, leading to President Tinubu’s election as Buhari’s successor.
The biography also sheds light on Buhari’s respect for institutional authority during periods of absence due to health challenges. When Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, acting as President during Buhari’s medical leave, removed DSS Director General Lawal Daura, Buhari declined to overturn the decision.
Bichi explained that the decision underscored Buhari’s respect for the chain of command and the legitimacy of acting executive authority.
“Countermanding Osinbajo’s action would have undermined institutional stability. Buhari’s restraint validated the acting presidency and reinforced discipline within the security architecture,” Bichi noted.
The book reveals that even under pressure, including interventions from First Lady Aisha Buhari, the former president maintained his principled stance.
Security, intelligence, and operational autonomy were central to Buhari’s leadership philosophy, Bichi said. The former president prioritised verifiable evidence over political pressure, granting commanders “freedom of the battlefield” while demanding accountability. Buhari’s approach ensured operational decisions were informed, swift, and legally defensible, including actions that directly protected his life.
The biography also recounts details of Buhari’s 2017 health crisis, which prompted a 154-day medical leave in the United Kingdom.
Former First Lady Aisha Buhari attributed the illness to disruptions in her meticulously managed nutritional and supplement regimen for the President, rather than poisoning or a mysterious ailment. She revealed that gossip in Aso Rock alleging that she intended to harm Buhari led to fear and confusion, resulting in delayed meals and missed supplements.
“The loss of routine was the genesis of his crisis. Once the regimen was restored, his recovery was swift,” Aisha Buhari told Omole.
Upon his return from London, Buhari acknowledged the severity of his condition, including the need for blood transfusions. Omole emphasised that Buhari’s delegation of authority to Vice President Osinbajo during this period reflected his commitment to institutional propriety, even amidst personal health challenges.
The biography also highlights a broader culture of mistrust within the presidency, with claims of surveillance and bugging of the president’s office, which Aisha Buhari said compounded stress and uncertainty.
Omole dismissed the persistent rumours of a presidential body double as unfounded, attributing the proliferation of conspiracies to poor strategic communication.
‘From Soldier to Statesman’ paints a portrait of a leader defined by caution, discipline, and evidence-driven decision-making. It underscores Buhari’s commitment to safeguarding lives, respecting institutional processes, and maintaining stability both within the APC and the Nigerian state, even when facing criticism or personal health challenges.
