Buhari had the wrong people in the right places and didn't change them for 8 years over fear of being called a dictator - Aisha Buhari

Aisha Buhari’s Revelation on Leadership Choices of Muhammadu Buhari

In a striking disclosure that has reignited debates about Nigeria’s governance under Muhammadu Buhari, former First Lady Aisha Buhari revealed that her late husband, who served as Nigeria’s president from 2015 to 2023, deliberately retained underperforming aides and appointees throughout his tenure.

 According to her, Buhari’s reluctance to make sweeping changes stemmed from a deep-seated fear of being branded a dictator, a label that had haunted him since his military era.

The revelation was made public during the launch of a book titled From Soldier to Statesman: The Legacy of Muhammadu Buhari, authored by Dr. Charles Omole and presented at the Presidential Villa in Abuja on December 16, 2025.

In the book, Aisha Buhari recounted how her husband’s administration was marked by the presence of “wrong people in the right places.” She explained that despite recognizing inefficiencies and missteps among his appointees, Buhari refrained from dismissing them, wary of reinforcing criticisms that his leadership style was authoritarian.

This hesitation, she argued, defined much of his eight-year presidency and shaped the trajectory of his government.

The former First Lady’s remarks provide a rare insider’s perspective into the decision-making processes of Buhari’s administration. They highlight the tension between his military past and his democratic role as president.

Buhari, once known for his strict and uncompromising style as a military ruler in the 1980s, sought to shed that image in his civilian leadership.

However, Aisha Buhari’s account suggests that this effort came at a cost: the persistence of ineffective governance structures and the empowerment of individuals ill-suited for their positions.

Her statement also underscores the broader challenges of leadership in Nigeria’s democratic context. Buhari’s fear of being perceived as dictatorial reflects the delicate balance leaders often attempt to strike between decisiveness and inclusivity. Yet, the consequence of his caution, as described by Aisha Buhari, was stagnation and missed opportunities for reform.

The narrative raises questions about whether his administration’s legacy will be remembered more for its restraint than for its achievements.

The disclosure has sparked renewed public discourse about accountability and the role of leadership courage in governance.

For many Nigerians, the idea that a president knowingly worked with “wrong people” for nearly a decade is troubling, as it suggests that political optics were prioritized over effective administration.

For others, it illustrates the enduring shadow of Nigeria’s military past over its democratic institutions, where leaders remain sensitive to accusations of authoritarianism even at the expense of progress.

Ultimately, Aisha Buhari’s revelation adds a poignant dimension to the legacy of Muhammadu Buhari. It portrays him as a leader caught between the weight of history and the demands of democracy, a man who sought to avoid the mistakes of his past but in doing so may have compromised the effectiveness of his government.

Whether this restraint will be judged as prudence or weakness remains a matter for historians and citizens alike, but her words ensure that the debate over Buhari’s leadership will continue long after his presidency.